Health decisions have always belonged to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities. In recent years, new health initiatives have emerged across New South Wales that place greater control in the hands of First Nations individuals, families, and communities. These programs are grounded in respect for cultural knowledge, community priorities, and individual choice. One such development is Aboriginal precision medicine—an approach designed to tailor healthcare by drawing on genetic information, but only where communities choose to engage with it.
To see how this work is unfolding on the ground, individuals are encouraged to explore Aboriginal precision medicine initiatives currently underway. Communities in Broken Hill, Tamworth, and beyond are already beginning important conversations about what this might mean for their people.
What is Aboriginal precision medicine?
Precision medicine involves using an individual’s genetic information to guide treatment decisions, such as prescribing medication or predicting how the body might respond to certain therapies. In mainstream healthcare, it is often promoted as a cutting-edge approach. However, Aboriginal precision medicine differs in one key way—it begins with the community, not the science.
