Injury prevention through employment as a priority for wellbeing among Aboriginal people in remote Australia.

Issue addressed: Injuries lead to more hospitalisations and lost years ofhealthy life for Aboriginal people than any other cause. However, they areoften overlooked in discussion of relieving Aboriginal disadvantage.

Methods: Four Aboriginal communities with diverse geography,culture and service arrangements participated in the Interplay Wellbeingproject. In each community, Aboriginal researchers conducted focus groups andinterviews arranged through Aboriginal organisations to explore wellbeing. Atotal of 84 participants contributed to 14 focus groups and eight interviews,which were recorded, transcribed and coded. This article reports on injury andpossibilities for prevention, unanticipated themes raised in discussions ofwellbeing.

Results: Interpersonal violence, injury and imprisonment emerged asthemes that were linked with employment and wellbeing. Employment in Aboriginalranger programs provides meaningful activity, which strengthens people'sidentity and cultural integrity. This can avert interpersonal violence throughempowering women and reducing alcohol access and consumption.

Conclusion: Ranger programs may provide a much‐needed opportunity tocontrol escalating rates of injury for Aboriginal people in remote communities.

Sowhat?: The manifold benefits of Aboriginal ranger programs includereducing violence and its injury and criminal justice consequences.