Eye on health and well-being of Pacific youth: research symposium at AUT South Campus
The latest round of findings from the 14 year measurement wave of the Pacific Islands Families (PIF) Study will be examined at a research symposium being held at the AUT South Campus in Manukau this week.
Experts researching the health and well-being of Pacific Islands families in New Zealand will share their knowledge on key health and well-being characteristics experienced by the 14-15 year old cohort of the PIF Study the world’s largest longitudinal study of Pacific youth and their families.
Dr El-Shadan Tautolo, Director of AUT’s PIF Study notes the study has come a long way since its launch in 2000.
“Over the past 16 years, we’ve been helping determine optimum pathways for Pacific children and their families during critical development periods, through the identification of risk and resilience factors that influence both positive and negative outcomes,” says Dr Tautolo.
“We aim to continue providing relevant data and analysis to help improve the health and well-being of Pacific children and families, and address the social disparities they face in New Zealand.”
Dr Tautolo adds that open discussion on these findings between experts, community and industry is key to pinpointing how best to handle some of the challenges experienced by Pacific youth.
“Only by working together collectively in this space, can we ensure a successful future for young Pacific people,”
What: Research symposium: Pacific Islands Families (PIF) Study - Investing in our future
When: 5.00 - 7.00pm, Thursday 14 April, 2016
Where: MB building, AUT South Campus, 640 Great South Rd, Manukau
The symposium will follow a mix of short presentations and facilitated discussions in format.
Community and industry interested in registering for this event, can do so here.
About the Pacific Islands Families Study
The Pacific Islands Families (PIF) Study is an ongoing longitudinal birth cohort study that has been tracking the health and development of 1,398 Pacific children and their parents since the children were born at Middlemore Hospital in South Auckland in the year 2000.
It is the only prospective study specifically of Pacific peoples in the world. The Study is based within the Centre for Pacific Health & Development Research and the National Institute for Public and Mental Health Research at AUT and aims to enhance our understanding of the needs, aspirations, and experiences of young Pacific people, and contribute to developing the measures that support them.