Abstract
BACKGROUND: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' have sustained their cultural practices for over 60,000 years which fundamentally impacts their health and wellbeing. Recent literature emphasizes cultural connection as a contributor to good public health, yet the mechanisms through which cultural engagement promotes health and wellbeing remain underexplored. This study investigates the health and wellbeing outcomes associated with Aboriginal peoples' participation in cultural camps in New South Wales (Australia), focusing on the role of cultural determinants of health. METHODS: This cohort study, part of the larger Gaawaadhi Gadudha Research Collaborative, examines the impact of camp attendance on health indicators among Aboriginal adults. Participants (N = 43) completed surveys assessing individual cultural health, access to cultural resources, resilience, and health-related quality of life pre and post camp. Paired-samples t-tests and Wilcoxon related samples signed-rank tests were employed to analyze changes. FINDINGS: Participants reported high engagement in cultural activities and positive experiences at camps. Post-camp responses indicated significant improvements in cultural health, including increased pride in cultural identity, knowledge of traditions, and connections to Country and community. However, measures of resilience and health-related quality of life showed no reliable changes. INTERPRETATION: The findings suggest that camps play a crucial role in enhancing cultural health among Aboriginal peoples, reinforcing the importance of knowledge of cultural determinants of health. This study underscores the need for further research to explore the long-term impacts of cultural engagement on health and wellbeing and highlights the potential of cultural camps as a model for health promotion initiatives within Aboriginal communities. FUNDING: This study was funded by the Australian Government's Medical Research Future Fund (MRF2009522).