Supporting Community Leadership and Action - South Asian The Asian people in Counties Manukau are a diverse group with each ethnic group having its own language, customs, traditions and health issues. The Asian community totalled 83,000 within the region in 2006 and is expected to grow more than 90% over the next 20 years. This particular area focuses on those of South Asian descent as this population has a higher risk of other Asian populations. In 2007/8 Let's Beat Diabetes began to work with the South Asian community and a leadership group was formed. During 2008/9 a South Asian Community Action Plan will be developed through consultation with community. From this plan a number of key initiatives will be developed to improve the prevention, treatment and management of Type 2 Diabetes for this community. South Asian Leadership Group
A South Asian Leadership group was established in late 2007 comprised of South Asian representatives from a number of organisations with an interest in improving nutrition and physical activity and decreasing the incidence of diabetes. The composition and terms of reference of the group will be reviewed in at regular intervals. A South Asian Project Manager was appointed during 2008.
Community Consultation and Action Planning
Community meetings were held during late 2008 in order to consult with and bring together community leaders and organisations belong to or representing the diverse South Asian Communities on the issue of Type 2 Diabetes.
Feedback from the consultation is being used to inform a Community Action Plan to encourage local participation in culturally appropriate activities with the ultimate outcome being increased knowledge and behaviours that reduce the incidence of diabetes and improve the quality of life for those with disease.
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