In an important step toward strengthening digital health literacy among culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, the Filipino Nursing Diaspora Network (FiND Network) recently delivered an information session on My Health Record and the 1800MEDICARE app to members of Lakas Filipina Inc., a not-for-profit Filipino-Australian organisation based in Southwestern Sydney. Lakas Filipina Inc. supports and empowers women by promoting their rights and access to education, healthcare, and community participation.
The session held at the Macarthur Tavern on Saturday, 28 March 2026 brought together more than 40 participants, reflecting strong interest among Filipino community in understanding how digital health tools can support both personal healthcare management and patient education within their communities.
Designed to enhance continuity of care, the app empowers patients to take a more active role in managing their health. It also supports safer, more coordinated care by ensuring that critical health information is readily available when needed—particularly in emergency situations or when consulting multiple providers.
For healthcare professionals, especially nurses, familiarity with the app is essential. It enables them to guide patients in navigating digital health systems, promoting better engagement and informed decision-making.
Advancing CALD Participation in Digital Health
Through the FiND Network initiative, supported by the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA), Filipino communities, such as Lakas Filipina Inc., are engaged to support broader awareness and uptake of the app, helping to improve access to digital health services, particularly migrants and older adults.
Dr Maria Mares, FiND Country Representative for Australia and the session’s resource speaker, highlighted this role. She emphasized that digital health inclusion is not just about technology, but about equity and access.
“Digital health tools like the 1800MEDICARE app are only as effective as the number of people who can confidently use them,” she shared. “As Filipino nurses, we are in a strong position to support our communities—by educating, guiding, and empowering them to take control of their health information.”
Community Engagement and Leadership
The session was warmly received by participants, many of whom expressed appreciation for the practical guidance provided. For Elsa Collado, President of Lakas Filipina, the initiative reflects the growing importance of community-based learning.
“This session is very timely,” she said. “Many of our members are already working in healthcare, but understanding how to use and explain digital health tools like this strengthens our ability to support members, especially within our own Filipino community.”
Participants also recognized the broader impact of such initiatives. Luisa Garcia, RN, GradCert, a member of the FiND Network, noted that sessions like this go beyond information-sharing.
“What we learned today is something we can pass on,” she said. “It helps us become better advocates—not just for ourselves, but for our patients and families who may not yet be familiar with these tools.”
Strengthening the Future of Digital Health Inclusion
The information session underscores FiND’s ongoing commitment to capacity-building and community engagement, particularly in areas that intersect healthcare, technology, and cultural inclusion. By supporting Filipino communities with the knowledge and confidence to navigate digital health platforms, FiND continues to amplify their role as both clinicians and community leaders.
As Australia continues to advance its digital health agenda, initiatives like this highlight a critical insight: meaningful progress requires not only innovation, but also inclusive participation. Ensuring that CALD communities are not left behind is essential in building a healthcare system that is equitable, accessible, and responsive to the needs of all.
Through partnerships, education, and community-led engagement, the FiND Network is helping lead this transformation—one conversation, one patient, and one app at a time.
Interested parties may reach out to the Australian Digital Health Agency for more information at the following link https://www.digitalhealth.gov.au
