Food security is a human right, and a key focus of Australian policy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Food security provides the bedrock for communities to thrive, and to maintain social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB). To date, limited evidence exists on the health costs attributable to food insecurity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait people living in rural, remote and very remote Australia.

This project, commissioned by National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA), provides a high-quality, independent and culturally safe desktop analysis on the health costs associated with the current level of food insecurity in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Australia. Our core inter-disciplinary team is a collaboration of Aboriginal and non-Indigenous researchers. Together, we have the capability to deliver a rigorous and culturally safe secondary research project. We have substantial expertise across the relevant fields, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB), remote food and food security, co-design, and qualitative and quantitative research methods and analysis. We have experience in working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities, governments, and service providers to produce quality evidence.

Our results will provide evidence on the health cost Impact of food insecurity among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities in remote or very remote areas. We will provide suggested actions that Government can implement via policy, and/or legislation to improve food security.