The Pasifika Women’s Diabetes Health Forum Report 2013

The Pasifika Women’s Diabetes Forum was held in Inala on 28th August 2013. It represented the combined effort of organisations and individuals concerned about the growing issue of diabetes management amongst women from Pacific Island backgrounds living in South East Queensland. Type 2 diabetes remains a major public health challenge in Australia, and particularly amongst culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) migrant communities. Consultations with key community organizations and community groups confirmed type 2 diabetes to be an important health priority issue for the Pacific Islander communities. This is due to increasing high risk and growing prevalence of type 2 diabetes amongst Pacific Island communities. Evidence shows that diabetes incidence, hospitalisations and/or mortality continue to increase among people born in the South Pacific. The low level of health literacy and a strong cultural reluctance to seek help presents an additional challenge to ensure these communities are engaged in chronic diseases prevention and self-management activities (Queensland Health, 2011a). In line with Pasifika Women’s Alliance (PWA) strategic intent priorities on Pacific Women’s Health and Wellbeing, the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) PhD researcher and the representing members initiated dialogue to consider hosting a diabetes research forum. The PWA felt that there was a need to engage all the Pacific Island community women as the problem of diabetes is represented in all communities. A steering group for the Pasifika Women’s Diabetes Health Forum Project was established for the purpose of providing advisory support for the study and to implement a diabetes health forum as part of the community and research initiatives identified on the basis of the needs and concern for diabetes awareness in the community. The forum attracted approximately 50 women representing most of the Pacific Island community groups residing in the region. It received support from a number of non-government and government organisations in terms of publicity for the forum as well as coordination and presentation of sessions. The Pasifika Women’s Diabetes Health Forum program included community health checks, community awareness and education presentations on ‘the history of pacific women, nutrition, diabetes and diabetes management’; women sharing their stories about the impact of diabetes in their community; a health survey and forum discussion. Lunch was sponsored by QUT. An ethical clearance from Queensland University of Technology was approved on the 17th April 2013. The findings provide a snapshot view of a relatively small group of Pacific Island women and, through ongoing discussions, have revealed the issues raised to be representative of core issues presented in the report. The forum demonstrates a community development process involving a collaborative and participatory approach to establish partnerships with the Pacific Island communities and organisations in Queensland. The PWDH forum initiative has clearly identified some key priority areas and suggested recommendations as a way forward to address diabetes in the community. These priority areas are high on the agenda of the PWA steering committee. The participatory nature of the Pasifika Diabetes Health forum also raises community awareness and promotes a commitment to better prevention and management of chronic diseases aimed at improving care and quality of life for the community. This has wider applications for public health practice in developing culturally appropriate and effective community programs tailored specifically for migrant communities who are high risk populations adversely affected by diabetes