Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Program (ATSI)
Diabetes and Indigenous Australians
The rates of diabetes for Indigenous Australians are estimated to be three times higher than for other Australians. Indigenous people in remote areas are twice as likely as non-Indigenous Australians to report having diabetes and in some Indigenous communities the prevalence of diabetes could be as high as 30 per cent. Indigenous people are diagnosed at younger ages with type 2 diabetes and can have an excess of avoidable complications resulting in earlier death, compared with other Australians.
What is DA–Vic doing?
Over the past few years we have been active in developing relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) communities. We have strengthened partnerships with the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation who represent a voice for Koori Health issues in Victoria.
We support Aboriginal health workers in the design of culturally appropriate resources.
Aims of the DA–Vic ATSI program
- Raise the profile of DA–Vic in ATSI communities
- Support Aboriginal health worker training in diabetes
- Participate in the development of Koori diabetes resources
- Monitor ongoing consultation and input from Aboriginal communities.
- Improve health outcomes for Aboriginal Australians
- Support Aboriginal health workers in the prevention of type 2 diabetes and management of diabetes
Achievements in the last 12 months
- Consultation and developing links with ATSI communities
- Development of the Aboriginal health worker and health professional diabetes manual
- Development of the Grapevine newsletter. Keeping health professionals and Koori diabetes networks up to date on diabetes information
- Assessment of the regional needs of Aboriginal health workers and Aboriginal communities
- Establishment of the Koori Diabetes Reference Group
Future directions
- Development of culturally appropriate diabetes resources
- Collaborations with The Heart Foundation, Victorian Aboriginal and Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) trialling a chronic disease strategy
- Development of a Koori diabetes resource kit
- Indigenous awareness training for our staff
- Establishment of a Koori diabetes reference group
More information
For more information or to talk with a dietitian, Diabetes Nurse Educator or Health Promotion Officer or phone 1300 136 588.