About Us

First Nations Australians

In Australia, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities experience some of the highest rates of autoimmune and immune-related conditions in the world – yet these diseases often go unrecognised, untreated, and unsupported.

For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities, a combination of social disadvantage and limited healthcare access – particularly for remote and regional communities – significantly increase the risk and impact they face. Behind each diagnosis is a story of systemic inequality, preventable suffering, and communities striving for better health outcomes. MyFlareUp believe with effective patient advocacy, knowledge and empowerment, each person deserves access to quality healthcare, early diagnosis, and enough support needed to thrive. Understanding the unique challenges faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities is the first step toward real change.

Autoimmune Conditions in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities

Autoimmune diseases occur when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own cells and organs. They can affect many parts of the body, from joints and skin to vital organs like the heart and kidneys.

Some autoimmune conditions are triggered by infections, while others are influenced by genetics, stress, or environmental factors.

Common Conditions

Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD)

The highest rates in the world are found in remote Indigenous communities, and is caused by an abnormal immune response to repeated Group A Strep infections, often from untreated sore throats or skin sores. This can lead to lifelong heart damage, disability, and early death.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Causes painful swelling and damage in joints, appears earlier and is often more severe in Indigenous people. Timely treatment is crucial to prevent disability, but access is often delayed.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

Lupus is a complex autoimmune condition affecting skin, joints, kidneys, heart and brain. Higher rates in Indigenous women and early symptoms can be vague, leading to delayed diagnoses.

Diabetes

An autoimmune form of diabetes where the immune system destroys insulin-producing cells. It is less common than Type 2 and increasingly diagnosed in Indigenous children.

Autoimmune Hepatitis

A chronic disease where the immune system attacks the liver. Data is limited, but there’s evidence of higher risk alongside liver-related comorbidities.

Factors driving Health Inequities

Autoimmune conditions don’t occur in a vacuum. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, they are made worse by overcrowded housing, poverty, chronic stress, and inter-generational trauma, making the community more vulnerable to infections and escalation of existing health medical conditions.

Common Factors

Limited Healthcare Access

Poverty & Overcrowded Housing

Chronic Stress and Inter-Generational Trauma

Under-Diagnosis or Misdiagnosis

Lack of Specialist Services & Follow-up Treatment

Our Collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities

We proudly partnered with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia on a powerful video series with a shared purpose; to share culturally resonant education and and wisdom in managing an autoimmune condition. The messages themselves were chosen by the communities, in their own language and voice.

The aim of video series is to ease the burden of autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), among others. Funded by the Australian Federal Government, it marks the world’s first RA education program designed specifically for remote Indigenous peoples, combining health education with community wisdom and lived experience.

First Nations

Care In Remote Communities Video Series

A series of videos shot in various locations showcasing the stunning local landscapes and extraordinary talent of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. These videos show the cultural strength, resilience and extraordinary connection within the community. With narration in both local languages and English, these videos offer insight, support, and hope to everyone living with autoimmunity.

Together we can make a change

Early Detection
Community-led Models
Educational Resources
Advocacy

We welcome collaboration with work with communities, healthcare providers and allies.
Let’s work together to build a future where autoimmune disease is no longer a sentence — but a challenge we face together, with strength, respect, and equity for all Australians.

Practical ways you can help

Share this page with your network.
Donate funds to outreach programs and mobile clinics.
Speak about equitable healthcare policies.
Stand with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities by listening, respecting and acting.

Commitment to Reconciliation

MyFlareUp supports mutually beneficial collaborations with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people that are founded on trust, respect and culture. Throughout our work, we respectfully acknowledge the traditional custodians of the lands on which we operate and pay our respects to their elders past and present.

In the spirit of reconciliation and as a member of Reconciliation NSW, we are committed to:

Working respectfully and aligned to the cultural sensitivities of regional and remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities as we actively strive to meet their specific health needs and requirements.
Maximising opportunities for co-design, and the incorporation of Indigenous governance, in the development of relevant projects with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Maximising opportunities to engage with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander business partners for the delivery of projects.
Actively seeking opportunities to increase Indigenous leadership within MyFlareUp.
Actively promoting National Reconciliation Week and other days of cultural significance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Actively promoting and supporting cultural awareness and capability development opportunities for all MyFlareUp employees and Board members.

                                Contact Us
Want to collaborate?
                            

We are always looking for new ways to support, inform, and uplift our Autoimmune Community.
Our projects reflect what we’ve heard from listening to our community and hearing what’s missing, what’s needed, and what could truly make a difference.

Our projects are at various stages of planning or market entry development, and most of our projects are undertaken in collaboration with like-minded groups who share our goal of improving the lives of people living with inflammatory and autoimmune conditions.

Some of our projects are not live yet and we’re always actively seeking support, partnerships, and resources to bring them to life. With the right support, we are sure we can transform these ideas into reality. If you’d like to collab with us or just get more information, please reach out. We always love to hear from you!