Victoria has some of the best cancer outcomes in the world and is recognised as having a leading cancer system. However, these positives are not experienced equally by all Victorians. People living outside of metropolitan areas, from lower socio-economic groups, who are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, or from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, are more likely to be diagnosed with late-stage or preventable cancer and have poorer outcomes.
To better understand the needs of people in our community who are underserved by the current systems of cancer care, and as part of the Strategic Program Plan (SPP) 2021-24, a new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research and Education Lead was appointed in November 2021.
Working closely with Professor Jennifer Philip, VCCC Alliance Academic Lead Palliative Care and Co-Chair of the Health Equity Steering Group, Dr Griffiths will provide leadership and strategic direction to inform and develop the SPP aim of equity across all the programs while heading the Research and Education Lead program which is pivotal to turning the idea of integration of research, education and clinical care into reality.
Dr Griffiths is a Yawuru woman. She is an early career Scientia Lecturer at the Centre for Big Data Research in Health at UNSW and a cancer researcher with expertise in data governance, development and application gained over the last 20 years. She is well-regarded for her innovative research on Indigenous data governance, the measurement of health disparities, improving cancer services and outcomes as well as building health research capabilities in regional and remote Australia.
Dr Griffiths is on the steering committee for the Indigenous Data Network in Australia and holds a number of national and international committee roles, including the Australian Bureau of Statistics Health Surveys Advisory Group, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare Indigenous Statistical and Information Advisory group as well as the Clinical Advisory Group of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program and the International Group for Indigenous Health Measurement. She is also Deputy Editor of the Health Promotion Journal of Australia.
