Just like the general population, smoking remains the single most preventable cause of disease and death in the Aboriginal community in Illawarra and Shoalhaven. Latest NSW Health Statistics report 28.2% of Aboriginal adults aged 16 years are current smokers.
The Breathe Strong Live Long project has produced seven short films which were made with men and boys from the local Koori community. The films tapped into the emotional response of viewers to encouraged people to talk with family, quit smoking and call the Koori quit line. This project was a partnership between UOW, ISLHD Health Promotion Service and Aboriginal Chronic Care Unit and NSW Cancer Institute.