Fighting indigenous diabetes
Defying the national trend, a unique partnership between Unity of First People of Australia (UFPA), Caritas Australia and the WA Government is reducing the spread of diabetes in remote Indigenous communities, an independent interim report has found.
While national levels for Indigenous diabetes is 1:16 and even higher in remote areas (1:11), in Looma, Kimberley, WA, the UFPA Roadmap to Better Health program has restricted the spread of diabetes.
The CEO of Caritas Australia, Jack de Groot said: “This is great news in the fight against diabetes and associated chronic illnesses.”
“Contrary to the Australia-wide trend of rising obesity and diabetes, this partnership in Looma, led by UFPA, provides a clear example of how communities can take control of their future in a proactive way when the right approach is implemented.”
Dr Kim Hames, WA State Health Minister who has pledged $500,000 through WA Country Health to the program over the next four years said, “The results are very encouraging. It is pleasing to see early dividends from our commitment to giving a high priority to Indigenous health.”
The Roadmap to Better Health initiative promotes healthy behaviours and lifestyle choices among Aboriginal people in the Kimberley.
By using a medical approach including eye and antenatal checks, combined with a community development focus, including providing cooking classes, nutrition programs and the school breakfast program, run jointly with Foodbank WA, the integrated nature of the project is putting the community in control of their health.
“The Looma community members are to be applauded for taking control of their people’s wellbeing. The increased exercise, better diet and heightened awareness that the program fosters in individuals is a brilliant example of how these partnerships, when delivered in a culturally appropriate manner do make a real difference”, said de Groot.
UFPA President Ernie Bridge said the improving health of young people at Looma was particularly pleasing.
“This is a fantastic result. It shows that with a concerted, joint effort by communities, public health departments and government, the prospects for even the most vulnerable groups can be turned around to provide extended and healthy lives for their young people,” Bridge said.
The report by Princess Margaret Hospital’s Endocrinology and Diabetes Services found that based on the community health assessment the number of people with diabetes in the Looma community has not increased since 2003.
“The report also showed that the majority of Looma youth were healthy with the obesity rate in Looma among youth less than half the national average”.
“Furthermore, the healthy eating and exercise message was getting through with the mean body mass index of Looma adults staying stable over the last six years, in contrast to national trends,” Dr Hames said.
More than 60 per cent of community members participated in the assessment.
