Engagement during development of the Te Niwha research platform indicated a gap of understanding in the landscape of infectious diseases research actors, funding and critical issues that need to be addressed to ensure a successful (and sufficiently informed) grounding. The result of this is a ‘Landscape Mapping project’ (link to this project) which provides a database of research contributors to identify critical mass on capability and capacity as well as gaps. It also summaries infectious diseases research investment and provides a “Burden of Disease Index that shows the real impact of 25 infectious disease, such financial and social costs.
The Covid-19 Equity Response Synthesis project is part of this wider mahi to understand Aotearoa New Zealand preparedness and to pull together learning from the recent pandemic. It focuses on gathering and consolidating documented pandemic plans and responses from iwi Māori, Māori health providers, Pacific communities, and Pacific health providers.
The mahi focuses on understanding their readiness and capacity in preventing, controlling, and managing COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. It acknowledges and includes existing reports and ongoing documentation efforts by communities and organizations, aiming to gain insights into the effectiveness of the documented plans and responses, with a focus on Māori and Pacific health providers and communities.
The research is guided by cultural frameworks and methodologies to ensure it is integral to the communities involved and that it aims to serve, including:
- A kaupapa Māori approach will be integrated into the research design, ensuring methodologies and processes are culturally appropriate and aligned with Māori values and principles. Similarly, the Pacific Kakala Framework will be adopted to guide the research design, ensuring methodologies and processes for the Pacific are appropriate and aligned with Pacific values and principles. In addition, the Braided Rivers approach is a research methodology that integrates Western scientific concepts with Indigenous knowledge systems. It recognises the interconnectedness and complexity of social, cultural, and environmental factors, resembling the braided channels of a river. This approach emphasises collaboration, inclusivity, and the co-creation of knowledge between different stakeholders, including Indigenous communities.
- Strong partnerships with Māori researchers and clinicians will be established to offer valuable insights and perspectives.
For the first stage of the Landscape Mapping project:
Landscape Mapping Infectious Diseases by research investment, burden of disease and Research Capability
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