We advocate for greater investment in multicultural health research and support strategies that address evidence gaps and improve health outcomes for multicultural communities.
Our network of research partners works collaboratively to advance a multicultural health research agenda and strengthen the evidence base for improving health equity and outcomes for multicultural communities. We welcome enquiries from researchers interested in contributing to this work.
Despite Australia’s cultural diversity, multicultural health remains underrepresented in the national research agenda. The ongoing underinvestment in research, data collection, and evidence generation limits our understanding of health needs and contributes to inequities in health outcomes for multicultural communities.
Exclusion from clinical trials
People from multicultural backgrounds are frequently underrepresented in clinical research, with limited English proficiency often cited as an exclusion criterion.
Limited research attention
A 2010 review found that only 2.2% of articles published in three major Australian health journals over a 12-year period focused primarily on the health of people from multicultural backgrounds. This study was replicated in 2023 and found a sharp decline to 1.1% but ironically the study was not accepted by several journals and remains unpublished.
Inadequate reporting
National health monitoring and reporting systems do not consistently report outcomes for multicultural communities, making it difficult to identify disparities and track progress over time.
We work with researchers, policymakers, and the broader health sector to promote greater recognition of multicultural health within Australia’s research priorities. Through consultation processes and policy submissions, we advocate for increased investment in multicultural health research and improved collection and reporting of data relating to multicultural communities.
READ: Our submission to the draft national health and medical research strategy consultation ➔
World Wellness Group is currently involved in the following research projects:
Co-creation of culturally and linguistically diverse patients’ experience measure in the emergency department: CALD ED TREASURE study
Lead Investigator agency Griffith University
Patient Navigation and Peer Support to Improve Survivorship for Chinese- and Vietnamese-speaking People Affected by Cancer – a Phase II Pragmatic Hybrid Effectiveness – Implementation Trial (PEARL survivorship study)
Lead Investigator agency Flinders University
MOSAIC – Enhancing Migrant Outcomes in Sexual Health through Action, Innovation and Collaboration project
Lead Investigator agency at Curtin University
Culturally inclusive research design and methodology is essential for research findings to be generalizable to the whole population. Multicultural participants are often excluded from Australian studies and the coverage of multicultural health in Australia health care journals is extremely low. We have identified areas of research that have strategic value and welcome inclusion in research proposals and projects that meet these strategic research needs.
Areas of expertise included:
Available on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays.
From 6.00pm to 8.30pm.
Subject to availability.
