Managing chronic lung disease (CLD) via a “treatable traits” approach allows care to tailored to the health needs of the individual. Regional Aboriginal communities have amongst the highest burden of CLD in Australia but providing treatable traits models of care is hampered by limited health infrastructure and differences in clinical needs. We will co-design treatable traits models with regional Aboriginal communities in New South Wales and South Australia as a template for national roll-out.

Treatable traits approaches to the management of chronic lung disease (CLD) tailor treatment and support to the specific health needs of the individual. Regional Aboriginal communities have amongst the highest burden of CLD in Australia and desperately need the improvements in health outcomes that treatable traits approaches can provide. However, it is unsafe to assume that current treatable traits models are universally applicable or culturally appropriate. In particular, regional Aboriginal communities have a high prevalence of “mixed” or “atypical” disease phenotypes, and complex co-morbidities. In addition, the lack of local health infrastructure presents a considerable challenge for the delivery of multidisciplinary care. As such, applying outdated disease labels or models of care developed for metropolitan, well-resourced, predominantly non-Indigenous populations, will fail.

We will co-develop a clinically effective and culturally appropriate treatable traits model for chronic lung disease in partnership with rural and regional Aboriginal communities in New South Wales and South Australia. Our approach will align with the health priorities, resource limitations, and preferred care models, of individual communities. This adaptable model will support both improved respiratory health outcomes and the potential for widespread adoption for rural and remote Indigenous communities across Australia.