Tonic Launches World’s First Aboriginal Health TV Network

Tonic Launches World’s First Aboriginal Health TV Network
B&T Magazine
By B&T Magazine
SHARE
THIS



The world’s first Indigenous, exclusively health-focused TV network has officially been launched by the Federal Minister for Indigenous Health, Ken Wyatt, with the help of Tonic Health Media.

In July last year, the federal government committed $3.4 million over three years to develop the targeted, culturally relevant Aboriginal Health Television (AHTV) network, which is expected to reach a First Nations’ audience of over 1.2 million people a month.

In launching AHTV, Wyatt noted the importance of the new network for the South West Aboriginal Medical Service (SWAMS) in Bunbury, Western Australia, which is one of the first 50 initial locations to install AHTV.

It is expected the network will be broadcasting in 100 locations by May 2019.

“The new network is an exciting step forward, built on local engagement, including local production of health and wellbeing stories, to reach the hearts and minds of our people and our families,” Wyatt said.

“AHTV is a truly unique, ground-up opportunity to connect at the point of care and build stronger, healthier communities.

Dr Norman Swan, co-founder of Tonic Health Media, who developed the not-for-profit network, said: “The fundamental idea behind AHTV is to provide engaging, appropriate and evidence informed health content to Aboriginal people while they are waiting to see their health professional.

“We have evidence that this period in the waiting area is a time when people are most open to information which can improve their health and offer relevant questions to ask their health professional when they see them in the next few minutes.

“Our aim is to offer AHTV as a free, fully maintained service to all Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) across Australia – around 300 locations – and it is already being rolled out, with SWAMS as one of our first.

“We know that our targeted messaging can make a big difference. There’s nothing like knowledge to give people control over their decisions.

“AHTV, guided by its advisory group of highly respected Aboriginal health leaders and researchers, will continue to work closely with Aboriginal Peak Health Bodies and ACCHOs to develop and deliver culturally relevant health messaging and lifestyle content.

“We are also partnering with third party content producers who specialise in Indigenous content to acquire and produce culturally relevant content.

Tonic managing director Dr Matthew Cullen said the partnership is an important step towards the media company’s goal of improving health outcomes for all Australians.

“AHTV provides a unique opportunity to communicate with Aboriginal audiences at the point of care when patients, their families, carers and health service providers are strongly focused on health and wellbeing,” he said.

AHTV advisory group member Associate Professor Chris Lawrence said the delivery of a culturally relevant TV network that connects with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities will improve health outcomes.

“Australia has always been a world leader in health promotion. AHTV signals a new era in how health promotion messages are told and delivered to one of the world’s most vulnerable and at-risk populations,” he said.

“AHTV builds on this using digital technology to help close the gap, and improve the health and wellbeing of Indigenous Australians.”

These sentiments were echoed by Lesley Nelson, NACCHO board member for WA, and CEO of SWAMS.

“Health promotion is a huge part of what we do at Aboriginal Medical Service across the country, and we welcome any opportunity to communicate these important health messages to our clients,” she said.

“The fact that the content has been tailored to suit our local Aboriginal community means that clients will benefit from health information that is relevant, culturally sensitive and meaningful to them.

“I strongly encourage Aboriginal Medical Service nation-wide to jump on board this fantastic initiative. We are also proud that SWAMS is the first location in Australia to have AHTV.”

Jake Thomson, an Indigenous community relationships manager for AHTV, said: “AHTV not only offers culturally relevant content, but it gives a voice to every community.

“By having the information they need, it will enable our people to consciously make the right choices which, in turn, will lead to better health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

And that’s exactly the aim of AHTV. Its tagline ‘Live Healthy. Live Long. Live Strong.’ is the message that it’s here to deliver.

Please login with linkedin to comment

Aboriginal Health Television AHTV tonic health media

Latest News

Vision6 Launches First-Ever National Brand Campaign “Simply Reliable”
  • Advertising
  • Campaigns

Vision6 Launches First-Ever National Brand Campaign “Simply Reliable”

Australian owned and operated email and SMS marketing software company, Vision6, announced the launch of its first-ever national brand campaign and new brand platform “Simply Reliable”. Founded in 2001, Vision6 was one of the first email marketing software providers in Australia and has since been relied upon by thousands of Aussie businesses and organisations for […]

JCDecaux New Zealand Grows Its Team To Lead Street Furniture Tender
  • Media

JCDecaux New Zealand Grows Its Team To Lead Street Furniture Tender

Out-of-Home media company JCDecaux New Zealand has appointed business growth specialist Adam McGregor in preparation for its bid to win upcoming local government street furniture tenders across the country. With contracts for the provision of street furniture including bus shelters across New Zealand up for renewal from late 2022, they collectively represent the biggest advertising […]

ABC iview Goes Virtual With Fetch TV
  • Media

ABC iview Goes Virtual With Fetch TV

Fetch TV has announced that ABC iview will soon be available as a dedicated Virtual Playlist Channel on the Fetch platform. Virtual Playlist Channels (VPCs) were developed by Fetch to promote content discovery, and to provide a clear bridge between the traditional world of linear TV and the growing availability of on demand content via […]

Jackie Gillies Joins The Acast Creator Network
  • Media

Jackie Gillies Joins The Acast Creator Network

Jackie Gillies, businesswoman, psychic medium and cast member of The Real Housewives of Melbourne is bringing her sassy, inspirational and adventurous spirit to her new podcast Shine It Up, With Jackie Gillies, which launches today via Acast. Hosted and distributed by the creator-first podcast company Acast, the show will offer listeners inspiration and motivation to […]

Hungry Vax, Jabstar, JAB Hi-Fi: Aussie Designers Give Iconic Logos A Pro-Vax Revamp
  • Media
  • Technology

Hungry Vax, Jabstar, JAB Hi-Fi: Aussie Designers Give Iconic Logos A Pro-Vax Revamp

Crowdsourcing platforms DesignCrowd and BrandCrowd are promoting vaccination efforts in a unique way, launching a logo redesign contest among their networks of designers. The initiative saw iconic Australian brands such as Hungry Jack’s, Jetstar, JB Hi-Fi, and Bunnings undergo a redesign.  “We thought it would be fun to see some other iconic Australian brands back […]

Harper’s Bazaar Australia Appoints Jillian Davison As Editor In Chief
  • Media

Harper’s Bazaar Australia Appoints Jillian Davison As Editor In Chief

Jillian Davison has been named editor-in-chief of the recently relaunched Harper’s BAZAAR Australia. She will oversee all content, development and creative direction across the iconic magazine’s digital and brand platforms. Davison (pictured) succeeds Eugenie Kelly, who recently stepped down to pursue other opportunities. The announcement was made by Maureen Jordan, publisher of Harper’s BAZAAR Australia […]

72andSunny Unveils First Campaign For Plant-Based Drink Brand Australia’s Own
  • Advertising
  • Campaigns

72andSunny Unveils First Campaign For Plant-Based Drink Brand Australia’s Own

Freedom Foods and 72andSunny Sydney have launched the first advertising campaign for Australia’s Own range of plant-based beverages. The campaign introduces a new visual world and identity for the brand and captures the healthy, positive feeling you get when spending time in nature and when consuming Australia’s Own certified-organic, plant-based beverages. As well as featuring […]