All eyes on trachoma at Geraldton book launch

A preventable eye infection that can cause blindness still burdens some Indigenous communities in Western Australia.

Big names in public and environmental health got together in Geraldton on Tuesday morning to tell stories of prevention and community triumph against trachoma.

The event launched a collaborative project titled The West Australian Trachoma Story Book, produced by teams working creatively to solve a big problem. The project took place across the State — from Papulankuntja to Mount Magnet — and included educational murals, fictional characters and even a hip-hop video.

Public Health Advocacy Institute #Endtrachoma lead Dr Melissa Stoneham said the storytelling project focused on “a broad concept of health and wellbeing and celebrates the culture of West Australian Indigenous peoples”.

“As the book unfolded, we were pretty amazed to see the innovative initiatives that happen,” Dr Stoneham said.