Filipino diabetes forum

Funded by the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS), the seminar at West HQ, Rooty Hill has been initiated through Diabetes NSW & ACT and is supported by the Western Sydney Diabetes Filipino Working Group.

It will target those who are living with, at risk of, or supporting someone living with diabetes in the Filipino community.

Last October, WSD organised a Western Sydney Filipino Leaders meeting to highlight the high rates of diabetes in the Filipino community.

Western Sydney Diabetes (WSD) Diabetes Prevention Officer, Aruni Ratnayake, said more than 70 health practitioners and community leaders attended the online meeting and the Western Sydney Diabetes Filipino Working Group was established.

The seminar will be MC’d by working group member and Clinical Nurse Specialist, Celestina Shori, with presentations by exercise physiologist, Rhea Balmaceda and fellow working group members, Endocrinologist Dr Rona Francisco; WSD diabetes educator at Westmead Hospital, Bernadette Sadsad; and dietitian Dean Paningbatan.

Dr Francisco (pictured left) will discuss diabetes and its complications, the risk factors, screening and diagnosis, management options and medications available.

“Filipinos are at high risk of developing diabetes, contributed partly by our traditional diet and lifestyle,” she said.

“As the main modifiable risk factor is our cultural diet, one of our goals will be to educate the community on how to prepare healthier versions of our traditional meals.”

Ms Sadsad (pictured above right) will speak about complication screening and the Diabetes Annual Cycle of Care.

“As a proud member of the Filipino community I know there is a crucial need to raise awareness about the prevalence of diabetes and to educate the members of our community on how to manage their diabetes to help minimise the risk of developing complications,” she said.

Katie Allison, Diabetes NSW and ACT’s Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Project Officer, said the seminar is a unique opportunity to bring together a variety of health professionals from the Filipino community to discuss practical ways to manage or prevent diabetes.

“The event will embrace Filipino culture with tailored information, including practical tips about food,” Ms Allison said.

“This event will also educate residents about how to link in with other local services and access ongoing support.”

Details: 11am-2pm, Saturday, June 19, West HQ, 33 Railway St, Rooty Hill

Registration is essential

Call the NDSS Helpline on 1800 637 700 or visit diabetesnsw.com.au/events.

Inquiries: Aruni Ratnayake, Aruni.Ratnayake@health.nsw.gov.au, languages@diabetesnsw.com.au or call the NDSS helpline on 1800 637 700.

Media inquiries: eEngagement and Education Manager, Heloise Tolar, Heloise.Tolar@health.nsw.gov.au or 0417 872 245

Diabetes detection at Kimberwalli for NAIDOC Week 2024

Western Sydney Diabetes will be carrying out diabetes detection during NAIDOC Week celebrations on Tuesday, July 9 at Kimberwalli, Whalan.

Diabetes is a condition where there is too much glucose in the blood. The body can’t make insulin, enough insulin or is not effectively using the insulin it does make.

Over time high glucose levels can damage blood vessels and nerves, resulting in long term health complications including heart, kidney, eye and foot damage.

NSW Health estimates that diabetes rates in western Sydney are 13 per cent in adults and have been rising for over a decade.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are three times more likely than non-Indigenous Australians to have diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is a direct or indirect cause for 20% of Aboriginal people’s deaths.

People who are admitted to any hospital in the WSLHD and identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander have an average rate of diagnosed diabetes of nearly 20%, compared to just 14% in non-Aboriginal people.

From 10am to 3pm, WSD and WSLHD staff be doing finger prick tests during NAIDOC (National Aboriginals’ and Islanders’ Day Observance Committee) Week to measure participant’s blood glucose levels (a HbA1c test) and detect pre-diabetes and diabetes.

All participants will be offered lifestyle change resources and those with pre-diabetes and diabetes will be given a letter and encouraged to see their regular General Practitioner (GP).

The whole process takes about 10 minutes.

WSD was established in response to the growing threat diabetes poses to our community’s health and wellbeing.

It is led by Western Sydney Local Health District and Western Sydney Primary Health Network (WentWest), Diabetes Australia and Department of Planning and Environment to address the Western Sydney diabetes hotspot.

WSD is encouraging adults to go to their GP and get a HbA1c blood test if they:

Have a family history of diabetes;
Have an inactive lifestyle;
Are overweight or obese;
Had diabetes during a pregnancy; or
Have a Pacific Island, Indian subcontinent, African, Asian, South Asian, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Island background.

Details: 10am-3pm, 1 Mimika Avenue, Whalan, kimberwalli@det.nsw.edu.au