Bridging the gap: New resources for dust disease awareness
Thanks to a DDB grant, Lung Foundation Australia developed tailored occupational lung disease resources for NSW’s CALD communities, addressing critical gaps in awareness and care.
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) groups form a significant proportion of the NSW population, with nearly 687,000 residents from non-English-speaking backgrounds.
Despite this, these communities have historically been underserved in occupational lung disease awareness, leaving barriers to health literacy, disease prevention, treatment, and care.
To address this critical need, Lung Foundation Australia (LFA), embarked on a groundbreaking initiative to develop and disseminate resources specifically designed for CALD communities.
This project, funded by the NSW Dust Diseases Board and administered through icare, delivered comprehensive, evidence-based resources tailored to Arabic, Chinese, and Vietnamese-speaking workers in high-risk industries, helping bridge the gap in awareness and providing a lifeline to affected communities.
Understanding the challenge
For CALD communities in NSW, accessing health information can be challenging, especially when it comes to technical, life-altering topics like occupational lung diseases.
LFA Project Officer Kerstin Greeneberg explains, “This project was in response to an identification of a gap in resources for culturally and linguistically diverse workers, who make up a significant portion of at-risk industries. Translating these materials was essential to address this gap.”
Occupational lung diseases, including silicosis, asbestosis, and other respiratory illnesses, often affect individuals exposed to hazardous dust in workplaces such as construction, mining, and manufacturing.
However, without accessible resources, workers in CALD communities may lack the knowledge needed to protect themselves or seek appropriate care when symptoms arise.
Examples of the collaterals produced as part of the campaign in Simplified Chinese, Arabic and Vietnamese.
Project achievements
LFA’s initiative addressed this need through a series of significant achievements:
- Translation of the Healthy Lungs at Work factsheet and Living with Occupational Lung Disease booklet into three languages.
- A two-phase digital campaign, which reached over 200,000 individuals, raising awareness during National Safe Work Month and beyond.
- Development of a dedicated microsite, serving as a centralized hub for resources, including an interactive Occupational Lung Disease quiz and video tools.
- Stakeholder engagement with major regulators and organizations, ensuring resources reached diverse communities effectively.
Positive outcomes for CALD communities
From initial feedback and data collection, it is evident that the project has had a meaningful impact on CALD communities in NSW:
- Increased Engagement: The resources reached thousands of individuals, with high uptake of both the factsheet and booklet.
- Improved Health Literacy: Patients reported greater understanding of Occupational Lung Diseases, with 100% agreeing that the materials helped them feel empowered to manage their condition and advocate for their healthcare needs.
- Confidence in Care: Many participants expressed increased confidence in interacting with healthcare professionals and accessing support services.
Building a unique partnership
This initiative exemplifies the power of collaboration in addressing health disparities. Building on this momentum, LFA is nearing completion of another NSW Dust Diseases Board funded project.
Launched in December 2023, it focuses on translating the “Healthy Lungs at Work” factsheet into Punjabi, Nepali, and Spanish.
Lung Foundation Australia CEO Mark Brooke reflects, “The relationship with icare and the NSW Dust Diseases Board has been essential to these achievements."
"As one of the few organisations in Australia administering a grant program specifically for occupational dust diseases, icare plays a uniquely invaluable role in supporting initiatives like this.”
By bridging these gaps, LFA continues to lead in lung health advocacy, setting a benchmark for inclusive, impactful healthcare projects.
“These projects are about more than information - they’re about giving people the tools they need to protect their health and their future. The resources provided at-risk communities with a much better understanding of occupational lung diseases, how they might be at risk, and what steps to take if they fall into high-risk categories."
