IMPLEMENTING EVIDENCE INTO PRACTICE TO IMPROVE CHRONIC LUNG DISEASE MANAGEMENT IN INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS: THE "BREATHE EASY, WALK EASY-LUNGS FOR LIFE" (BE WELL) PROJECT

Abstract

The burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Indigenous Australians far exceeds that in non-Indigenous Australians. The project will evaluate whether the BE WELL program can build the capacity of Aboriginal health workers to provide affordable and effective management of COPD, including pulmonary rehabilitation. This program will improve health outcomes, reduce hospital admissions and address the poor access to best-practice management of COPD in Indigenous communities.