A NEW diabetes education program in Busselton hopes to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living with type 2 diabetes.
The program is delivered by educators trained by Diabetes WA and aims to help participants better manage their condition by learning about food choices, physical activity and medication.
South West Aboriginal Medical Service diabetes educator Susan Drmota said participants get a feel for what works best for them according to their own needs and circumstances.
Currently there are more than 1000 people living in Busselton with diabetes which accounts for 4.4 per cent of those living in the shire.
Type two diabetes cases are slightly above the national average while the amount of people with type one diabetes are slightly below the national average.
Research conducted Diabetes WA found Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians are three times more likely to have type two diabetes compared to non-Aboriginal Australians as well as getting the condition younger than other Australians.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are also seven times more likely to die from diabetes than other Australians.
The Busselton sessions will be held from 11am to 2pm on November 5 and 12 at the Yoka Yaanginy women’s group at the Salvation Army Busselton Corps.
The local sessions will be held for women only with another session for men being held in Bunbury in February 2016.
For more information about the sessions contact the South West Aboriginal Medical Service on 9726 6000.
