title: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community governance of health research: Turning principles into practice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Gaps exist in researchers' understanding of the 'practice' of community governance in relation to research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
  
  
  METHODS
  We examine Aboriginal community governance of two rural NSW research projects by applying principles-based criteria from two independent sources.
  
  
  METHODS
  One research project possessed a strong Aboriginal community governance structure and evaluated a 2-year healthy lifestyle program for children; the other was a 5-year cohort study examining factors influencing the mental health and well-being of participants.
  
  
  METHODS
  The National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia's 'Values and ethics: guidelines for ethical conduct in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research' and 'Ten principles relevant to health research among Indigenous Australian populations' described by experts in the field.
  
  
  METHODS
  Adopt community-based participatory research constructs. Develop clear governance structures and procedures at the beginning of the study and allow sufficient time for their establishment. Capacity-building must be a key component of the research. Ensure sufficient resources to enable community engagement, conduct of research governance procedures, capacity-building and results dissemination.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The implementation of governance structures and procedures ensures research addresses the priorities of the participating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, minimises risks and improves outcomes for the communities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Principles-based Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community governance of research is very achievable. Next steps include developing a comprehensive evidence base for appropriate governance structures and procedures, and consolidating a suite of practical guides for structuring clear governance in health research.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia.
authors.forename: Josephine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gwynn
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Newcastle, Moree, Australia.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lock
authors.affiliation: Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia.
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.affiliation: St Pius Aboriginal Medical Service, Moree, Australia.
authors.forename: Ray
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dennison
authors.affiliation: Sydney Centre for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Statistics, University of Sydney, Sydney.
authors.forename: Clare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Coleman
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Newcastle, Moree, Australia.
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Newcastle, Moree, Australia.|Hunter New England Local Health District, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wiggers
mesh_terms: D057191:Capacity Building / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration*; D055812:Community-Based Participatory Research / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D006303:Health Services, Indigenous / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D009517:New South Wales; D012424:Rural Population; D000095283:Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
keywords: Aboriginal health; governance; indigenous health; research; rural health