The HITnet Program

Committed to health equality for all, HITnet promotes health and wellbeing to disadvantaged Indigenous populations through creating and sharing multimedia information in ways that empower individuals, families and their communities. We believe that new media technologies provide the opportunity to deliver highly personalized, autonomous learning experiences to people in need, regardless of race or place in society.

Democratic access to learning is achieved through the implementation of public touchscreen kiosks delivering health information on topics including alcohol, sexual health, kids’ health, mental health, nutrition, diabetes and smoking. Interaction with the materials requires minimal formal literacy or computer skills as information is conveyed through animated stories, interactive games, narrative learning modules, video clips and photo stories, making the kiosks a popular source of entertainment as well as a health promotion tool for Indigenous communities.

HITnet’s greatest asset is its ability to collaborate creatively with the end user in the remotest of settings, to ensure that the production of culturally sensitive learning materials results in an experience for participants that is characterized by personal growth and health transformation.

The HITnet kiosk facility provides capacity for on-demand information independent of staffing in remote and challenging environments. In such disadvantaged populations these uses of innovative technology are a way of reducing inequality in terms of health, education and digital engagement, helping to unlock the social and economic potential of rural and remote regions.