Cultural Diversity Program
We are the peak consumer body and leading charity representing all people affected by diabetes and those at risk. We aim to address the needs of the whole community including culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) groups.
It is recognised that people born in the regions of the South Pacific Islands, Southern and Eastern Europe, Asia, North Africa and the Middle East have a high prevalence of diabetes. People from these backgrounds also have high rates of diabetes related hospitalisations and mortality rates. The increased risk of type 2 diabetes in people from these regions is associated with genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors, including urbanisation and modernization of lifestyle, physical inactivity and poor nutrition and indirectly, overweight and obesity (Diabetes Data, 2009).
For all enquiries about the Cultural Diversity Program, please contact Kim O'Brien, Health Promotion Officer on (03) 9667 1733 or via email.
Diabetes Awareness Sessions
We deliver diabetes awareness and prevention sessions within multicultural communities in Melbourne. The peer led program employs bilingual health educators who are trained to deliver diabetes prevention sessions in their first language.
The nine language groups available are:
- Arabic
- Chinese (Cantonese and Mandarin)
- Greek
- Italian
- Macedonian
- Spanish
- Turkish
- Vietnamese
The bilingual educators are trained in diabetes prevention and awareness messages which include the promotion of physical activity, and maintaining a healthy weight and healthy eating in order to lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes Awareness Session information
Session length: 75 minutes
Minimum numbers required: ten
Appropriate for groups of men and women
The session focuses on increasing awareness of diabetes and reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes. The following topics are covered:
- What is diabetes?
- How diabetes affects your body
- Symptoms of diabetes
- Risk factors for type 2 diabetes
- Reducing your risk of developing type 2 diabetes
Book a Diabetes Awareness Session
To book a Diabetes Awareness Session in one of the above languages for your community group, contact Kim O'Brien, Health Promotion Officer on (03) 9667 1733.
Download a Diabetes Awareness session booking form here (pdf 93kb)
Translated Resources
Multilingual Infoline Service
Our Multilingual Infoline provides an interpreter service for non-English speaking Victorians in nine languages: Arabic, Cantonese, Greek, Italian, Macedonian, Mandarin, Spanish Turkish and Vietnamese.
This service is free and easy to use. You can speak with a Diabetes Educator, Dietitian or Advocacy Officer and an interpreter.
The phone numbers of the Multilingual Infoline are:
| Arabic |
9321 5428 |
| Cantonese |
9321 5429 |
| Greek |
9321 5430 |
| Italian |
9321 5431 |
| Macedonian |
9321 5434 |
| Mandarin |
9321 5436 |
| Spanish |
9321 5435 |
| Turkish |
9321 5432 |
| Vietnamese |
9321 5433 |
| Other languages |
9321 5438 |
Multilingual Internet Resource
Diabetes Australia's national website has a Multilingual Internet Resource with information available in Croatian, Greek, Italian, Spanish, and Turkish.
Reference
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare: Holdenson Z, Catanzariti L, Phillips G & Waters A-M 2003. A picture of diabetes in overseas-born Australians. Bulletin No. 9. AIHW Cat. No. AUS 38. Canberra: AIHW.
"Last updated 23 February 2010"
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