An electronic publication from the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet
Issue 9, November 2000 - February 2001 : ISSN 1329-3362
Conference abstracts and papers
12th National Health Promotion Conference: Inequalities in health
- reflecting back, stepping forward.
29 October - 1 November 2000, Hotel Sofitel, Melbourne, Victoria.
Anna Flintoff and Michael
Rosenberg
Inequalities in the
primary prevention of type 2 diabetes in Western Australia.
Purpose: To identify inequalities in the delivery and potential effectiveness of type 2 diabetes primary prevention programs within Western Australia (WA).
Outline: As there is currently no cure for type 2 diabetes, primary prevention is seen as the most effective strategy for preventing type 2 diabetes prevalence. Programs addressing primary prevention usually focus on reducing key modifiable risk factors as well as targeting high-risk groups. Until now, the number and type of primary prevention programs related to type 2 diabetes in WA has not been documented, making the planning and delivery of effective programs difficult. Therefore, a clear understanding of type 2 diabetes programs is important to ensure equitable delivery of primary prevention programs to all West Australians.
Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted to identify trends in type 2 diabetes risk factors within WA. In addition, structured interviews were conducted with 70 health professionals from WA health regions in October 1999, to identify sources of local risk factor data, details of primary prevention programs conducted in their region and any evaluation of type 2 diabetes programs.
Results: We found that WA does not have a coordinated state-wide strategic plan addressing the primary prevention of type 2 diabetes. Subsequently, regional-based programs exist because each Public Health Unit is responsible for developing or modifying their own strategies for primary prevention of Type 2 diabetes, to address the local needs of their community. However, these programs tend to have limited timelines and budgets, and are also based upon dated information sourced from the 1996 Census and 1995 WA Health Survey. Rural and remote WA health regions, such as the Kimberley and Pilbara, demonstrate higher health risk factors when compared with other health regions and have a tendency to conduct a greater number of primary prevention programs to meet local needs. In addition, they are likely to include both primary and secondary prevention strategies and are largely aimed at increasing knowledge, with limited evaluation opportunities.
Discussion: The findings from this study suggest that systematic and periodical collection of data on the prevalence and incidence of type 2 diabetes and associated risk factors would be useful. This should be conducted state-wide and endeavour to provide local data to primary health planners to ensure equity amongst community groups receiving primary prevention programs. Finally, the establishment of a coordinated state-wide primary prevention strategic plan addressing type 2 diabetes is recommended. This strategy would provide a framework for the delivery and evaluation of comprehensive primary prevention programs that include knowledge, values and skill-based components throughout WA. Presumably this strategy would also have the potential for wider implementation in other Australian states and territories.
