Our Work Over the Next 12 Months and Beyond
Emerge Australia recognises that the needs of people with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and long COVID are not equally understood or met, particularly among Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities.
In the coming years, we’ll focus on improving the visibility, voice, and access for these communities. Here’s how we plan to start, we welcome your support and feedback.
1. Understanding Community Needs and Experiences
We’re running a national survey to understand how Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and CALD communities experience our services and to identify any gaps in culturally safe care.
How can you help?
- If you are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander or feel you have a deep understanding of their culture, please complete this survey
- If you are from the CALD community or feel you have a deep understanding of their needs, please complete this survey
2. Building an Inclusive Service Network
We aim to expand our healthcare professional network and strengthen partnerships with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and CALD community organisations.
How can you help?
If you can introduce us to relevant organisations, we’d love to connect. Please email Laura Allen at: [email protected]
3. Developing Culturally Relevant Resources
We will also make our information and services more accessible by:
- Creating simple, core resources about ME/CFS and long COVID.
- Seeking funding for translation.
- Completing a Cultural Competence Assessment to improve our internal practices.
Why This Matters
There is little research on ME/CFS and long COVID in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and CALD populations, but early signs are concerning:
- Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) report worsening symptoms, including fatigue and breathlessness, after COVID-19 —especially in those with existing chronic conditions.
- Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples already face higher rates of chronic disease, lower vaccination coverage, and increased COVID-19 risk.
- People with ME/CFS and long COVID often face stigma, barriers to services, financial insecurity, and mental health challenges. These are intensified for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and CALD communities, due to inequities such as poor housing, racism, and limited culturally safe care.
Given the overlap between ME/CFS and long COVID, we expect similar burdens for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and CALD individuals living with ME/CFS, but we need better data and deeper engagement to respond effectively.
Join Us
We are committed to listening, learning, and acting in partnership with communities. If you can share our survey, connect us with partners, or collaborate on this work, we’d love to connect.
Together, we can build a more inclusive future where everyone affected by ME/CFS or long COVID has access to the care and support they need.
Please feel free to reach out to us!
- Contact person: Laura Allen
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 1800 865 321 (press 1 when prompted)
If we are on another call, please leave us a message and we will get back to you as soon as possible.