Aims:
To better understand the long-term impact of COVID-19 infections among Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people and ESKD patients in the Northern Territory (NT), through exploring four interconnected aims;
Aim 1: To evaluate COVID-19 sequelae among a population of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people and people living with ESKD in the NT, including the incidence of new chronic diseases and excess deaths.
Aim 2: To evaluate COVID-19 sequelae among a smaller cohort of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people and people living with ESKD in the NT, including individual health outcomes.
Aim 3: To evaluate COVID-19 sequelae immunological responses and patterns among a smaller cohort of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people and people living with ESKD in the NT.
Aim 4: To explore the impact of COVID-19 sequelae on the wellbeing of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people and people living with ESKD.
Objectives:
Aim 1: To evaluate the impact of COVID-19 sequelae among Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people and people living with ESKD in the Northern Territory, by determining and comparing rates of new chronic disease diagnoses, medical attendances, and excess deaths pre and post COVID-19.
Aim 2: To assess the lasting impact of COVID-19 on health outcomes of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people and people living with ESKD in the Northern Territory.
Aim 3: To describe and compare inflammatory mediators, T cells, B cells, among Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people and patients living with ESKD assigned to different PASC health status groups (1-4), to better define and understand protective and durable immunity versus detrimental immuno-pathology following COVID-19 infection.
Aim 4: To understand the impact of COVID-19 sequelae on the health-related quality of life of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people and people living with ESKD in the Northern Territory.
Summary:
Driven by our Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service (ACCHS) partnerships with Mala’la Health Service Aboriginal Corporation, Miwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation, Central Australian Aboriginal Congress and NT Health, this pilot project explores the long-term impacts of COVID-19 among Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people and patients with End-Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD) in the Northern Territory. This study will use a mixed method, co-designed approach to evaluate impact of COVID-19 sequelae: (Aim 1) on a population-level, including new chronic diseases and excess deaths; (Aim 2) on individual health outcomes; (Aim 3) on immunological responses and patterns; and (Aim 4) explore impacts on wellbeing. Our research aims to better understand the long-term impact of COVID-19 infections with a view to guide a culturally safe model of survivorship care for the Northern Territory.
Implications for policy and practice:
Improves understanding of the long-term health and wellbeing impacts of COVID-19 in the NT.
Supports planning and delivery of long COVID services and models of care, working closely with our ACCHS partners and NT Health.
Identifies gaps in current systems, care pathways and supports for people experiencing ongoing symptoms after COVID-19.
Supports development of culturally safe and locally relevant approaches to care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the NT.
Incorporates clinical outcomes, biological findings and lived experiences to guide future holistic health service improvements.
Chief Investigators:
Project Manager:
- Caitlin Kent
Contact info:
Caitlin.kent@menzies.edu.au
longCOVID@menzies.edu.au
Key Dates:
August 2025 - December 2027