Oral Presentation ESA-SRB-APEG-NZSE 2022

The Gomeroi Gaaynggal Study: Improving Outcomes for Aboriginal Women and their Babies (#24)

Kirsty Pringle 1 2
  1. School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
  2. Mothers and Babies Research Centre, Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, Australia

The Gomeroi Gaaynggal (babies from the Gomeroi lands) cohort is the largest longitudinal cohort of Indigenous women and their children that begins in pregnancy and continues through early childhood worldwide. It is based in the regional town of Tamworth, NSW, within the Aboriginal land of the Kamilaroi/Gomeroi people. The Gomeroi Gaaynggal study was developed in partnership with the local Aboriginal community to address the disparity in health outcomes in their community. It was run alongside an Aboriginal Arts Health Program. Between 2009 and 2019, 403 pregnant women participated in the pregnancy study and 185 women and their children participated in the follow up study. During pregnancy we collected data on maternal nutrition and body composition, mental and physical health, fetal growth, and pregnancy outcomes. In the follow up study we collected data on maternal health, breastfeeding, introduction of first foods, and growth of the children. We are continuing to work with the community to develop community-based programs to provide a healthy start to life for all Aboriginal Australian children.