First Nations diabetes prevention pathway
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander healthcare workforce is to be strengthened through a new partnership tackling diabetes prevention at the heart of communities.
A new partnership between the Bupa Foundation and peak body National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation will see over 500 of its health workers receive diabetes prevention training to support improved health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Bupa’s pledge to work with First Nations-led healthcare organisations and other institutions was outlined in its Reconciliation Action Plan and the project will see the development of a specialist diabetes prevention training pathway as part of that.
Delivery of face-to-face training sessions and assimilation into current local Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations is part of the plan, plus developing culturally safe training and assessment resources.
NACCHO chief executive officer Pat Turner said that by training over 500 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers through this partnership, the organisation is able to address diabetes prevention directly within communities.
“Culturally informed, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led training is essential to reversing the impact of diabetes and improving health outcomes,” Ms Turner said.
“By working with Bupa, we’re building a pathway to strengthen our healthcare workforce and bring us closer to closing the health gap in our communities.”
According to Review of diabetes among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, by Samantha Burrow and Kathy Ride, diabetes is three times more prevalent among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Bupa APAC chief sustainability and corporate affairs officer Roger Sharp said this important partnership was created to provide enduring community impact rather than short-term solutions and is urgently needed in the war against diabetes.
“We want to create an Australia where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people enjoy health equity and equality,” Mr Sharp said.
“We believe the best way to do that, is to partner with, support, and empower Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations so they can determine the best way to drive change in communities.”
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