A significant new research initiative has been launched to enhance long COVID outcomes in culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities in Australia. This project responds to growing evidence that these groups experience disproportionately severe long-term effects from COVID-19. Despite the pandemic’s decline, long COVID remains a pressing public health challenge, with many individuals continuing to suffer from chronic symptoms such as cognitive impairment, respiratory issues, and cardiovascular complications. These persistent health problems can significantly hinder their ability to resume normal daily activities.
Research conducted in various international contexts indicates that racial and ethnic minority communities often face higher rates of hospitalization and morbidity associated with long COVID. This trend is expected to be mirrored within Australia’s CALD populations. In response, the Curtin School of Population Health has received funding for a $2 million project led by Associate Professor Kefyalew Alene, Head of The Kids Research Institute Australia’s Geospatial and Tuberculosis Team. The project is supported by the Federal Government’s Medical Research Future Fund.
Collaborative Approach to Health Care
The research will be conducted in collaboration with WA Health, CALD community leaders, healthcare providers, and researchers. Together, they will co-design evidence-based and culturally appropriate models of care. The aim is to create scalable interventions that can be integrated across health systems and contribute to the development of new national guidelines for preventing long COVID in CALD communities.
Associate Professor Alene emphasized that factors like language barriers, low health literacy, and unequal access to healthcare contribute to the higher incidence of long COVID cases in these communities. He noted the importance of collaborating directly with CALD groups to craft healthcare responses that are both effective and meaningful. “Long COVID continues to affect thousands of Australians, but its burden is not shared equally,” he stated. “By co-designing this research with community leaders, clinicians, and primary care providers, we will develop models of care that genuinely reflect people’s lived experiences.”
The project also aims to evaluate long-term health outcomes among both CALD and non-CALD groups while assessing existing models of care. Associate Professor Alene remarked, “The team’s expertise in infectious diseases, health equity, and policy translation is expected to support the rapid uptake of findings into clinical practice.”
Commitment to Addressing Health Inequities
Curtin University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Professor Melinda Fitzgerald, highlighted the project as a demonstration of the university’s commitment to tackling global health challenges. “Curtin strives to address complex health issues through collaboration, innovation, and deep community engagement,” she said. “By translating rigorous research into practical models of care, our researchers are helping to ensure that all Australians, regardless of background, can access the support they need to recover fully from COVID and live well.”
For additional information about the Federal Government’s Medical Research Future Fund, interested parties can visit the official website.
This initiative underscores the critical need for targeted healthcare strategies that respond to the unique challenges faced by CALD communities, ultimately aiming to improve health equity and outcomes for all affected by long COVID.
