Co-Head, Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing
BSc (Hons), PhD
Associate Professor Brad Farrant has been at the Telethon Kids Institute since 2010. Prior to joining the Institute he completed a Bachelor of Science with Honours and a PhD in Developmental Psychology at the University of Western Australia.
Brad is a wadjella (non-Aboriginal person) who was born on Whadjuk Noongar Boodja in Bentley and grew up in different places around Western Australia. Brad is the Regional Lead for the Healthy Environments and Lives (HEAL) Network in Western Australia. Much of his research focuses on the importance of early childhood development including how broader ecological factors like climate change, biodiversity loss, population growth, and peak water will interact to affect children's development now and in the future. He is particularly interested in how to connect this to strengths of Aboriginal people and culture.
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Projects
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Publications
April 2024
First Nations Peoples’ perceptions, knowledge and beliefs regarding stillbirth prevention and bereavement practices: A mixed methods systematic review
First Nations Peoples endure disproportionate rates of stillbirth compared with non-First Nations Peoples. Previous interventions have aimed at reducing stillbirth in First Nations Peoples and providing better bereavement care without necessarily understanding the perceptions, knowledge and beliefs that could influence the design of the intervention and implementation.
Published research Aboriginal Health & Wellbeing Aboriginal Health Maternal healthJanuary 2024Describing skin health and disease in urban-living Aboriginal children: co-design, development and feasibility testing of the Koolungar Moorditj Healthy Skin pilot project
Indigenous children in colonised nations experience high rates of health disparities linked to historical trauma resulting from displacement and dispossession, as well as ongoing systemic racism. Skin infections and their complications are one such health inequity, with the highest global burden described in remote-living Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander (hereafter respectfully referred to as Aboriginal) children. Yet despite increasing urbanisation, little is known about the skin infection burden for urban-living Aboriginal children.
Aboriginal Health & Wellbeing Subsite: Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases Subsite: END RHD Healthy Skin and ARF Prevention Strep A Pathogenesis and Diagnostics Strep A & ARF TherapeuticsDecember 2023Improving the capacity of researchers and bereaved parents to co-design and translate stillbirth research together
Working with bereaved parents in co-designed stillbirth research, policy and practice is essential to improving care and outcomes.
Published research Aboriginal Health & WellbeingOctober 2023First Nations populations' perceptions, knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and myths about prevention and bereavement in stillbirth: a mixed methods systematic review protocol
The objective of this review is to investigate First Nations populations' perceptions, knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and myths about stillbirth.
Published research Aboriginal Health & Wellbeing Aboriginal Health Maternal healthJuly 2023A Research Translation, Implementation and Impact Strategy for the Australian Healthy Environments and Lives (HEAL) Research Network
Healthy Environments And Lives (HEAL) is the Australian national research network established to support improvements to health, the Australian health system, and the environment in response to the unfolding climate crisis. The HEAL Network comprises researchers, community members and organisations, policymakers, practitioners, service providers, and other stakeholders from diverse backgrounds and sectors.
Published research Aboriginal Health & Wellbeing Climate changeMarch 2023Health Outcomes of Children Living in Out-of-Home Care in Metropolitan Western Australia: A Sequential Mixed-Methods Study—A Protocol Paper
The research protocol described aims to examine and establish the health outcomes of children and young people living in Out-of-Home Care (OOHC) in Perth, Western Australia from the perspective of the care recipients and service providers. A Study Advisory Panel will be established comprised of Aboriginal Elders (because of the over-representation of Aboriginal children in OOHC), health professionals and other relevant stakeholders to help co-design all phases of the study.
Published research Aboriginal Health & Wellbeing Early Childhood Development Aboriginal HealthOctober 2022Healthy Environments and Lives (HEAL): Australian research network in human health and environmental change
The HEAL Network aims to strengthen the Australian health system and community resilience to climate change, extreme events, and environmental degradation.
Project Published research Aboriginal Health & Wellbeing Aboriginal Health Aboriginal Mental Health & WellbeingSeptember 2022Severe maternal morbidity following stillbirth in Western Australia 2000–2015: a population-based study
There is scant literature about the management of stillbirth and the subsequent risk of severe maternal morbidity (SMM). We aimed to assess the risk of SMM associated with stillbirths compared with live births and whether this differed by the presence of maternal comorbidities.
Published research Aboriginal Health & Wellbeing Aboriginal HealthJune 2022“We don’t want you to come in and make a decision for us”: Traversing cultural authority and responsive regulation in Australian child protection systems
The Ngulluk Koolunga Ngulluk Koort (Our Children Our Heart) project conducted extensive Elder and community consultation to develop principles and practice recommendations for child protection governance in Western Australia. We explore these principles and practice recommendations and highlight the need for culturally safe community consultation and governance with a focus on repairing damage incurred by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community from past child protection policies.
Published research Aboriginal Health & Wellbeing Aboriginal HealthFebruary 2022Caesarean section following antepartum stillbirth in Western Australia 2010–2015: A population-based study
There is scant literature about antepartum stillbirth management but guidelines usually recommend reserving caesarean sections for exceptional circumstances. However, little is known about caesarean section rates following antepartum stillbirth in Australia.
Published research Aboriginal Health & WellbeingJuly 2021Prevalence and predictors of vitamin D deficiency in a nationally representative sample of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults
Vitamin D deficiency (serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentration <50 nmol/l) is recognised as a public health problem globally. The present study details the prevalence and predictors of vitamin D deficiency in a nationally representative sample of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults aged >/=18 years.
Published research Aboriginal Health & Wellbeing Vitamin D and Sunlight Aboriginal HealthFebruary 2022Patterns of recurrent preterm birth in Western Australia: A 36-year state-wide population-based study
It is known that a previous preterm birth increases the risk of a subsequent preterm birth, but a limited number of studies have examined this beyond two consecutive pregnancies. This study aimed to assess the risk and patterns of (recurrent) preterm birth up to the fourth pregnancy.
Published research Aboriginal Health & Wellbeing Pre-term birthNovember 2021Climate change, activism, and supporting the mental health of children and young people: Perspectives from Western Australia
The climate crisis has detrimental impacts on the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people. Psychological effects include feelings of fear, overwhelm, worry, distress, hopelessness and anger; PTSD; depression; anxiety; phobias; panic disorder; sleep disturbances; attachment disorders; learning difficulties; substance abuse; shock and trauma symptoms; adjustment problems; behavioural problems; and, suicidal thinking.
Published research Aboriginal Health & Wellbeing Aboriginal Health Youth mental healthJuly 2022Knowing your audience: Investigating stillbirth knowledge and perceptions in the general population to inform future public health campaigns
The prevalence of stillbirth in many high income countries like Australia has remained unchanged for over 30 years. The 2018 Australian government Senate Select Committee on Stillbirth Research and Education highlighted the need for a public health campaign to encourage public conversations and increase awareness.
Published research Aboriginal Health & Wellbeing Youth Mental HealthMay 2021Disparities in severe neonatal morbidity and mortality between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal births in Western Australia: a decomposition analysis
The health disadvantages faced by Australian Aboriginal peoples are evidenced in early life, although few studies have focused on the reasons for population-level inequalities in more severe adverse outcomes. This study aimed to examine the scale of disparity in severe neonatal morbidity (SNM) and mortality between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal births and quantify the relative contributions of important maternal and infant factors.
Published research Aboriginal Health & Wellbeing Aboriginal Health Youth Health Youth Mental HealthJanuary 2021The impact of maternal prenatal mental health disorders on stillbirth and infant mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Evidence about the association between maternal mental health disorders and stillbirth and infant mortality is limited and conflicting. We aimed to examine whether maternal prenatal mental health disorders are associated with stillbirth and/or infant mortality. MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, and Scopus were searched for studies examining the association of any maternal prenatal (occurring before or during pregnancy) mental health disorder(s) and stillbirth or infant mortality. A random-effects meta-analysis was used to calculate pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The between-study heterogeneity was quantified using the I2 statistic. Subgroup analyses were performed to identify the source of heterogeneity.
Published research Aboriginal Health & Wellbeing Aboriginal HealthOctober 2020Prevalence and predictors of vitamin D deficiency in a nationally representative sample of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults
Vitamin D deficiency (serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentration <50 nmol/l) is recognised as a public health problem globally. The present study details the prevalence and predictors of vitamin D deficiency in a nationally representative sample (n 3250) of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults aged ≥18 years. We used data from the 2012-2013 Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey (AATSIHS). Serum 25(OH)D concentrations were measured by liquid chromatography-tandem MS.
Published research Aboriginal Health & Wellbeing Vitamin D and Sunlight Aboriginal HealthNovember 2020Socioethnic disparities in severe maternal morbidity in Western Australia: a statewide retrospective cohort study
To assess the scale of ethnic inequalities in severe maternal morbidity (SMM) rates and quantify the contribution of maternal characteristics to these disparities. This is a retrospective cohort study. A whole-of-population linked administrative data from 2002 to 2015 in Western Australia.
Published research Aboriginal Health & Wellbeing Aboriginal HealthJune 2020Profile of severely growth-restricted births undelivered at 40 weeks in Western Australia
Higher levels of poor perinatal outcomes among FGR births highlight the importance of appropriate management including fetal growth monitoring
Published research Aboriginal Health & WellbeingMay 2020Role of maternal mental health disorders on stillbirth and infant mortality risk: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
We plan to examine whether prenatal maternal mental health disorders impact the risk of stillbirth and infant mortality
Published research Aboriginal Health & WellbeingMarch 2020Stillbirth risk prediction using machine learning for a large cohort of births from Western Australia, 1980–2015
Almost half of stillbirths could be potentially identified antenatally based on a combination of factors
Published research Aboriginal Health & Wellbeing Child DisabilityMarch 2020Raising strong, solid Koolunga: Values and beliefs about early child development among Perth's Aboriginal community
We detail the unique findings from an Aboriginal early child development research project with a specific focus on the Nyoongar/Aboriginal community of Perth
Published research Aboriginal Health & Wellbeing Aboriginal HealthNovember 2019Disparities between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal perinatal mortality rates in Western Australia from 1980 to 2015
This study aimed to examine the pattern of stillbirth and neonatal mortality rate disparities over time in Western Australia
Published research Aboriginal Health & Wellbeing Aboriginal HealthNovember 2019The impact of pre-pregnancy body mass index and gestational weight gain on placental abruption risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Mothers that are underweight prior to or in early pregnancy are at a moderately increased risk of placental abruption
Published research Aboriginal Health & WellbeingOctober 2019Delivering Elder- and Community-Led Aboriginal Early Childhood Development Research: Lessons from the Ngulluk Koolunga Ngulluk Koort Project
We describe the application of a participatory action research methodology that is grounded in Aboriginal worldviews
Published research Aboriginal Health & Wellbeing Aboriginal HealthJuly 2019Does Child Care in the First Year of Life Pose a Risk for Concurrent and Future Ear Infections?
The longitudinal analyses found no evidence of increased (or decreased) long-term risk of ear infections in subsequent waves associated with attending a child care centre
Published research Aboriginal Health & Wellbeing Ear Infections Early Childhood Development Human Development and Community WellbeingMarch 2019Trends and predictors of extreme preterm birth: Western Australian population-based cohort study
First study to show that the increase in extreme preterm birth in high-income jurisdiction is no longer evident after medical terminations and birth defects are excluded
Published research Aboriginal Health & WellbeingMarch 2019Childcare Use and Its Role in Indigenous Child Development: Evidence from the Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children in Australia
Relatively disadvantaged children might benefit more from attending childcare, as indicated by the positive estimated effects found for those who never attended childcare
Published research Aboriginal Health & Wellbeing Aboriginal Health Human Development and Community WellbeingJuly 2017The impact of racial discrimination on the health of Australian Indigenous children aged 5–10 years: analysis of national longitudinal data
Direct and persistent vicarious racial discrimination are detrimental to the physical and mental health of Indigenous children in Australia
Published research Aboriginal Health & Wellbeing Aboriginal Health Human Development and Community WellbeingOctober 2016Maternal ethnicity, stillbirth and neonatal death risk in Western Australia 1998–2010
Difference in stillbirth and neonatal death rates in Western Australia (1998-2010) by maternal ethnicity
Published research Aboriginal Health & WellbeingJanuary 2015What we know about suicide prevention for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
This fact sheet addresses what we currently know about suicide prevention for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Published research Aboriginal Health & Wellbeing Depression and Anxiety Aboriginal Health Aboriginal Maternal Health & Child DevelopmentJanuary 2015Suicide prevention for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people: Fact Sheet 3
This is the third fact sheet regarding the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Evaluation Project.
Published research Aboriginal Health & Wellbeing Depression and Anxiety Aboriginal Health Aboriginal Maternal Health & Child DevelopmentJune 2014Maladaptive parenting and child emotional symptoms in the early school years
The current study investigated whether being exposed to maladaptive parenting (high hostility and low warmth) and/or marital conflict in infancy is...
Published research Aboriginal Health & Wellbeing Depression and AnxietyApril 2014Early Vocabulary Development of Australian Indigenous Children: Identifying Strengths
The current study sought to increase our understanding of the factors involved in the early vocabulary development of Australian Indigenous children.
Published research Aboriginal Health & Wellbeing Early Childhood Development Language Development Aboriginal Health Aboriginal Maternal Health & Child DevelopmentJanuary 2014Cognitive Flexibility, Theory of Mind, and Hyperactivity/Inattention
The present study analyzed the concurrent and longitudinal relations among cognitive flexibility, theory of mind, and hyperactivity/inattention.
Published research Aboriginal Health & WellbeingSeptember 2013Climate change, child health and the role of the paediatric profession in under-resourced settings
Climate change and its health impacts are increasingly recognised by the world's leading medical organisations and journals.
Published research Aboriginal Health & WellbeingJanuary 2013Fetal Testosterone, Socio-Emotional Engagement and Language Development
The present study investigated the relations among fetal testosterone, child socio-emotional engagement and language development...
Published research Language Development Human Development and Community Wellbeing Autism ResearchJanuary 2013Parent–child book reading across early childhood and child vocabulary in the early school years
The current study investigated the extent to which low levels of joint attention in infancy and parent-child book reading across early childhood increase the...
Published research Language Development Human Development and Community WellbeingJanuary 2013Maternal Attachment Status, Mother-Child Emotion Talk, Emotion Understanding, and Child Conduct Problems
The present study investigated the relations among maternal attachment status, mother-child emotion talk, child emotion understanding, and conduct problems...
Published research Human Development and Community WellbeingMarch 2012Empathy, Perspective Taking and Prosocial Behaviour: The Importance of Parenting Practices
The current study analyzed the relationships among maternal empathy, parenting that encourages the child to take the perspective of others andcognitive empathy.
Published research Human Development and Community WellbeingFebruary 2012Language, cognitive flexibility, and explicit false belief understanding: Longitudinal analysis in typical development and specific language impairment
The current study sought to further investigate in 91 English-speaking typically developing children and 30 children with specific language impairment...
Published research Language Development Human Development and Community WellbeingJanuary 2012Joint attention and parent-child book reading
Good language development is an integral component of school readiness and academic achievement.
Published research Language Development Human Development and Community Wellbeing