Parenting+

We have developed a health literacy training program for new parents called Parenting+. The program embeds graded health literacy and shared decision-making skills across a number of health topics relevant to new parents. The feasibility of implementing the Parenting+ intervention across Western Sydney Local Health District was established in a 2018 pilot study funded by the WSLHD Research and Education Network Grant scheme. We will now employ an effectiveness-implementation hybrid design to examine the replicability and scalability of the project across three Local Health Districts (LHDs). This includes a cluster-randomised controlled trial of the Parenting+ intervention delivered within established New Parents Groups across WSLHD, SLHD and SWSLHD compared to standard parenting groups in these LHDs. The trial involves longitudinal data collection (6+12-months) to assess the impact on psychosocial outcomes, health service use and health outcomes. Qualitative methods will provide practical advice on implementation and adaptability of the intervention within and across the LHDs.

Led by: Dr Danielle Muscat

Collaborators: Western Sydney Local Health District, Sydney Local Health District, South Western Sydney Local Health District

Related events

Community Voices at the Centre: Workshop Co-Designs Inclusive Research Strategies

On 16 October 2024, a vibrant and collaborative workshop brought together 28 community leaders, bilingual educators, multicultural health staff, and interpreters to co-design strategies for improving recruitment and retention of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities in health research, including in the Sydney Health Literacy Lab’s Parenting+ program.

Held in partnership with Western Sydney, South Western Sydney, and Hunter New England Local Health Districts, the workshop participants collectively spoke more than 20 languages—a powerful reflection of the communities they represent.

The day was filled with rich discussions, cultural insights, and a shared commitment to ensuring research is inclusive, respectful, and accessible. Facilitated by Dr Danielle Muscat, Sk Masum Billah, Dipti Zachariah, and Matilda McLean from The Lab, the workshop highlighted the importance of co-design and community-led approaches in shaping health programs that truly serve all.

Participants described the workshop as energising, meaningful, and deeply engaging—marking a promising step toward more equitable and representative research in NSW.