Silicosis Support Hub – Empowering Action for a Looming Health Crisis

Australia is facing a deadly epidemic of silica-related disease—progressive, incurable illnesses caused by inhaling silica dust in industries like construction, mining and manufacturing. Over 600,000 workers have already been exposed. The challenge was to create a national resource that could help people navigate complex and varied state-based systems around regulation, screening, healthcare and compensation. Designed for high-risk workers, diagnosed patients, and their families, the platform needed to be clinically and legally accurate, emotionally attuned, mobile-first, search-visible, geographically-specific and accessible across languages and literacy levels. Co-designed with experts, advocates and patients, it had to earn trust and drive informed action.

Responding to a national health crisis, the Hub prioritises 'plain-speaking' content and action-led design to guide users through their next steps. The site personalises journeys for people at risk, diagnosed, or supporting others. Key features include a multimedia curriculum, a custom risk assessment tool, location-specific guidance and real stories. It was shaped by structured research and curriculum design, expert and stakeholder interviews and expert validation. Video content was central to building trust and accessibility, along with subtitles and language translation throughout the site. The final platform is mobile-first, emotionally attuned and built to empower users to take timely, informed action.

Launched in March 2025, the Silicosis Support Hub is already providing trusted support to patients, families, and clinicians. Feedback confirms it improves understanding, reduces distress, and helps users take their next step. Health professionals appreciate the support it provides for their consultations. In only 60-days post launch of a new domain and site, analytics are showing excellent early organic visibility and engagement rising. The Hub is already being referenced in federal and NSW government policy discussions and shared organically across clinical, legal and patient support networks, signalling its growing reach and relevance.

The Hub was designed for people in a distressing and high-stakes healthcare moment — receiving a diagnosis of a life-limiting, irreversible lung disease. Many are young, CALD, and navigating grief, fear, and confusion. In some states, they have only six months post-diagnosis to make compensation claims — or miss out entirely on any financial support. This project responds with dignity and clarity to shift users from fear to understanding; from paralysis to action. Co-designed with patients, clinicians, advocates and legal experts, the platform delivers structured, human-centred support across the full journey — from risk awareness to diagnosis, care, compensation, and connection. Design features include: *Action-led structure (Learn, Take Action, Connect) guides users without overwhelm *Risk assessment tool generates personalised risk category, clear action steps and a GP-ready report. *State-specific compensation/legal content. *Multimedia curriculum delivers information in multiple formats and emotional tones. *Mobile-first UI uses familiar design patterns to enhance accessibility. *Plain language and multilingual translation ensure inclusivity. *Search-informed content and structure closes knowledge gaps and maximises visibility Every element was designed to deliver clarity, reduce distress, and equip people with tools to act, meeting them compassionately where they are. It is healthcare design not just for information, but for agency.