Recommendations from health research for children and adolescents living in the Kimberley region of Western Australia: a scoping review.

BACKGROUND

Aboriginal leaders in Western Australia's Kimberley region have voiced concern that research conducted on their lands is not being adequately used to inform meaningful change.

OBJECTIVE

This scoping review, grounded in an Aboriginal-academic partnership, identifies the child and adolescent health-related research conducted in the region and summarises the authors' recommendations for knowledge translation.

METHODS

Drawing on PRISMA-ScR guidelines, we conducted a comprehensive search of multiple databases for publications between January 1967 and June 2025, focusing on children aged ≤ 18 years. Data extraction was conducted using Covidence, and publications were categorised based on the International Classification of Diseases (11th Revision; ICD-11). Inductive thematic analysis was performed on the recommendations from the publications, which were coded into topics.

RESULTS

Across the 163 included publications, health conditions aligned with research in other remote regions, the most common ICD-11 health category being infectious and parasitic diseases (n = 47). Many health conditions were preventable, including through vaccination and other prevention programs, or by addressing social determinants of health.

CONCLUSIONS

Many of the key findings and recommendations were repeated in publications over many years, suggesting these issues persist. The recommendations could be grouped into three broad themes: 1) systemic healthcare reform; 2) addressing environmental and social determinants of health; and 3) ensuring resources are available for Aboriginal people to lead solutions. There is sufficient research evidence to warrant change. This review highlights the need for systemic change and long-term investment, implemented through Aboriginal-led governance, with government agencies held accountable to communities.