Diabetes is a significant problem for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, where they are almost four times more likely than non-Indigenous Australians to have diabetes or pre-diabetes. In 2018, diabetes was the second leading cause of death for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.
The University of Technology Sydney’s Faculty of Health is committed to Closing the Gap by increasing the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Diabetes Educators to improve community health and well-being. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have much better health outcomes when they have access to Indigenous health professionals. However, there are not enough qualified Indigenous Diabetes Educators. Educating the community is an important prevention strategy that must be holistic and “culturally appropriate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, families and individuals”.
To that end we are securing scholarships to fund post-graduate students in the Graduate Certificate in Diabetes Education and Management, embedding Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing.
Research
An estimated 37% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults have diabetes, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have almost double the likelihood of developing gestational diabetes as non-indigenous women.
Childhood obesity and Type 2 diabetes can lead to other serious health issues such as kidney disease, stroke, neuropathy and ophthalmic complications.
Through our world-class, cross-disciplinary research, UTS aims to address these issues. Contact us by email to learn more.
UTS acknowledge the Traditional Custodians across the lands, waters and seas that we work and live on and pay our respects to Elders past, present and future and thank them for their continuing custodianship.