A National Multicultural Health Framework at the federal level, and multicultural health strategies at the state and territory level as well as prioritising the collection and reporting of accurate and consistent data are among the recommendations stemming from Australia’s inaugural National Multicultural Health and Wellbeing Conference.

The conference, jointly hosted by the Australian Multicultural Health Collaborative and the Federation of Ethnic Communities Councils’ of Australia (FECCA), held in Sydney, saw organisations and practitioners come together to seek solutions.

A report stemming from the conference arrived at some key recommendations for action to improve the health and wellbeing of multicultural communities across Australia.

One session at the conference focused on ‘lived experience and representation’.

The report identified a need to Co-design and co-create health services, research, policy and models of care with multicultural communities to address barriers and ensure community voices are heard and to ensure community consultations and engagement of consumers and carers are mutually beneficial, and community members are remunerated for their time, knowledge and expertise.

It also saw a need to build trust with communities and involve community members in decision-making processes when developing approaches to address disparities faced by multicultural communities in the health system.

Another session focused on ‘data and research’.

The report called for the collection and reporting of accurate and consistent data to be prioritised; and for evidence-based research to identify, shape and guide the development of policies and strategies pertaining to issues affecting multicultural communities.

It also saw a need to advocate for data sovereignty, and community oversight and ownership of their own data.

There was also a call for increased funding amounts and cycle periods to support culturally responsive programs, initiatives and models of care effectively and sustainably.

A session on ‘system navigation’ recommended a recognition of the importance of language and culture as fundamental aspects of navigating the Australian health and social care system and of promoting cultural awareness and understanding at a societal level.

The report recommended developing cultural-based navigation of the health system that incorporates trust-building and understanding of cultural beliefs and practices.

A session on ‘service delivery and workforce’ called on agencies to avoid replicating colonial systems and ensure health services reflect the communities they serve through means such as expanding the bicultural and bilingual workforce.

The report also recommended the promotion of cultural safety and the development of processes to address racism and discrimination in the workplace.

A final session on ‘policy development’ urged governments to develop and shape policy through a multicultural lens, ensuring the voices and experience of multicultural communities, and diverse cultural beliefs and languages are acknowledged.

The report also recommended the development of a National Multicultural Health Framework at the federal level, and multicultural health strategies at the state and territory level.