Shining a light on Huntington’s disease in the Kimberley region

The Neuroscience Unit at North Metropolitan Health Service is working with local Aboriginal communities in the state's Kimberley region to provide culturally sensitive treatment and support for people with Huntington's disease.

Huntington's disease is an inherited degenerative neurological condition affecting the brain and central nervous system.

Neuroscience Senior Research Scientist Melanie Clark said with the number of cases continuing to increase in the Kimberley region, the disease was presenting a major public health concern, which was compounded by the fact children of parents with the disease have a 50 per cent chance of being diagnosed with Huntington's.

To help, mobile clinics in Kununurra and Halls Creek are providing education and support to those affected and help to identify people at risk while also upskilling local medical practitioners, service providers, front line workers and support staff.

The clinics are being funded by the State Government's Disability Innovation Fund in collaboration with Huntington's Australia and not-for-profit organisation Connectivity.

“People with Huntington's are often stigmatised, with the disease easily mistaken for other health concerns,” Melanie said.

“The mobile clinics are a vital service providing specialist treatment, education, and support to people in the region.

“As part of the clinics, we have held community events and met many people from the Miriwoong community to yarn about Huntington's and traumatic brain injury.”