Extra help is available for South Birmingham residents of Asian descent who are newly-diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes thanks to an education programme catering for their cultural and language needs.
Research shows that the risk of Type 2 diabetes in people of South Asian heritage is about four to five times as high as that in people of European descent.
Now South Birmingham Community Health has tailored the national DESMOND (Diabetes Education and Self-Management for Ongoing and Newly Diagnosed) education programme to make it accessible to people with limited English-speaking skills by translating key instructions into Urdu, Bengali, Gujarati and Punjabi.
Courses held in community locations consist of two three-hour group sessions if delivered in English or four three-hour group sessions for non-English speaking participants.
South Birmingham Community Health’s head of outpatient services, Julie Ravenhall said: "People of South Asian descent are considerably more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes than other demographic groups and so we are very pleased that we now have an education programme in place that is tailored for the needs of those communities.
"The initial diagnosis of diabetes can be quite a daunting moment. But with the right education and support, most people find it quite manageable as part of their daily routine and that’s what this programme aims to help people achieve."
Anyone wishing to participate or find out more details should call the South Birmingham Community Health diabetes team on 0121 442 3527 or ask their GP for a referral.
