Preventing D ABETES in Western Sydney
Western Sydney is a diabetes hotspot with rates far higher than the NSW average.
Western Sydney Diabetes (WSD) is a collaborative initiative led by Western Sydney Local Health District, Western Sydney Primary Health Network and Diabetes NSW & ACT to help detect and prevent type 2 diabetes in Western Sydney.
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a condition where there is too much glucose (blood sugar) in the blood. This is normally due to low insulin levels or ineffective insulin which normally helps break down the glucose. Over time, high glucose levels can cause long-term health damage to your heart, kidneys, eyes and feet.
Getting Tested
At Workers Blacktown, WSD runs a free diabetes detection program twice a month on alternate Tuesdays for members and guests. Since the detection program started in January, more than half of the community members entering the club have shown results that suggest pre-diabetes and diabetes.
Diabetes tests are quick and easy and you can find out if you are at risk of diabetes in just three minutes. The free finger prick test checks your HbA1c (blood glucose) levels to advise if you could be diabetic or pre-diabetic. If you do test within an at-risk range, a nurse will send a letter to your GP and provide you with diet and exercise recommendations.
During Diabetes Week, 9-15 July, the team from Western Sydney Diabetes will be running additional daily diabetes detection and prevention activities at Workers Blacktown, 55 Campbell Street, Blacktown NSW 2148.
Who Should Get Tested?
If you fit any of the following criteria, you should consider getting tested for diabetes:
Have a family history of diabetes
Have an inactive lifestyle
Are overweight or obese
Had diabetes during pregnancy
Are aged 45 years or over and have a Pacific Island, Indian subcontinent, African, Asian, South Asian, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Island background.
Western Sydney Diabetes runs free healthy cooking demonstrations on the last Thursday of each month at Workers Blacktown.
A nutritionist provides tips on cooking three fast, affordable, tasty meals to feed the whole family.
westernsydneydiabetes.com.au/cooking-demonstrations/
For more educational resources and videos, head to westernsydneydiabetes.com.au
