26 November 2009
Effectively tackling Indigenous diabetes: Community driven partnership model
key
to success
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 today.
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, Mr 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 Mr 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,” Mr Bridge said.
MEDIA STATEMENT
Unity of First People of Australia
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.
Media Contact: UFPA - Ernie Bridge (0419 969897, UFPA 9322 6533, H 9446 2101)
Caritas Australia - Jo Thompson (02 8306 3405)
NEWS 
