Episode 148: Beyond Vaccines w Prof Asha Bowen, Dr Lorraine Anderson & Dr Caitlin White

The Meaning of Health Podcast

Episode 148 - Beyond Vaccines w Prof Asha Bowen, Dr Lorraine Anderson & Dr Caitlin White

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Episode 148 - Beyond Vaccines w Prof Asha Bowen, Dr Lorraine Anderson & Dr Caitlin White

How Aboriginal Communities Are Leading the Diphtheria Response

Aug 07, 2026

In this 2-part episode of The Meaning of Health, Dr Ingrid Stacey and Leah Roberts explore the current diphtheria outbreak in Australia and its impact on Aboriginal communities.

Part 1 (with Prof Asha Bowen): Examines the underlying social determinants driving the resurgence of diphtheria, the critical link between environment and skin disease, and the structural barriers facing community-led solutions. The discussion dives into the dangers of healthcare normalisation of skin sores and inputs into how government fundings can be better deployed for sustainable health benefits.

Part 2 (with Dr Lorraine Anderson and Dr Caitlin White): Focuses on the importance of community-led responses and the need for long-term strategies addressing housing and environmental health. The conversation highlights how culturally safe care and local Aboriginal leadership are fundamental to effective public health outcomes.

Guest Information

Prof Asha Bowen: Clinician-scientist, Paediatric Infectious Diseases Specialist at Perth Children’s Hospital, and Head of Skin Health at Telethon Kids Institute / Kids Research Institute Australia.
Dr Lorraine Anderson: Medical Director at Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services (KAMS) and experienced general practitioner dedicated to Aboriginal primary health care in the Kimberley.
Dr Caitlin White: Public Health Medical Officer at the Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia (AHCWA) and expert in clinical and public health priorities.

Key Takeaways

The Current Landscape: Diphtheria is a vaccine-preventable disease currently affecting remote Aboriginal communities in Australia.
Vaccines Alone Are Not Enough: Strong vaccine uptake exists in Aboriginal communities; however, the resurgence of diphtheria is driven by the social determinants of health and living environments that enable transmission.
Community Leadership Is Key: Community-led health services and Aboriginal leadership are essential for delivering effective, trusted public health responses.
Overcoming Healthcare Normalisation: Skin sores in children have become so common in clinical settings that they are frequently normalized and overlooked by healthcare workers rather than treated as a critical public health priority.
Collaborative Efforts: Strong partnerships between government bodies and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) ensure better, more coordinated care.