Pasifika Preventing Diabetes Programme
About Us
The Pasifika Preventing Diabetes Programme (PPDP) is a church based, community owned lifestyle program aiming to improve detection, prevention and management of diabetes and its risk factors.
Why is PPDP important?
There is a diabetes epidemic worldwide, causing a significant burden on health in those affected. Pasifika communities experience this epidemic in much greater proportions than many others. Pasifika individuals have 7 times higher risk of developing diabetes than those of European ancestry. Diabetes is also a leading cause of death within Pasifika communities.
This need not be the case as diabetes and its complications are preventable and manageable. Lifestyle changes can positively influence factors that contribute to diabetes such as weight, eating unhealthy foods and undertaking too little physical activity.
Co-developed and run by
- Western Sydney University
- Pasifika church communities in Greater Western and South-Eastern Sydney
- Pasifika Preventing Diabetes Program Community Reference group
Supported by
- NSW Ministry of Health
- NSW Health Pathology
- Sanofi-Aventis Australia Pty Ltd
- Diabetes NSW & ACT
- Maridulu Budyari Gumal Sydney Partnership for Health, Education, Research and Enterprise (SPHERE)
- Wentworth Healthcare (NBMPHN), WentWest (Western Sydney PHN), South Western Sydney PHN & Central and Eastern Sydney PHN,
- South Western Sydney LHD, Western Sydney LHD, South Eastern Sydney LHD & Nepean Blue Mountains LHD.
What is PPDP Doing to Improve Health?
PPDP is creating connections by helping our participants find support among their peers, within their churches and through access to health resources. Our participants are also being connected with local specialists and general practitioners for clinical services if needed. Community organisations are also involved in creating an environment to promote healthy living.
The programme empowers participants and their communities by providing a framework to help the community build their own sustainable lifestyle changes. PPDP has a train the trainer approach in its model, where community activators employed by the LHDs, train and support volunteer peer support facilitators (community members from each church who volunteer their time to help) to deliver peer support group sessions and other activities within their church to help their church peers make healthy lifestyle choices. Participants will gain knowledge, develop skills and have support around them to take charge of their health advocate for themselves and their family members, and to seek answers and solutions to pressing concerns. Having the knowledge, skills and support to manage one’s own health creates an informed and engaged community. Because PPDP is community led, the programme has taken on the values and heart of the community itself.
PPDP is training and supporting members of the community to help each other to understand more about, and put into place, healthy eating and physical activity choices.
Most importantly, this program will trigger the conversation: “What can we do together to end diabetes?”
Who
PPDP is open to members of all participating churches and their families.
Where
For participants: Activities and collection of data will mostly occur within the churches taking part in the programme. Some participants may need follow up with their medical professionals if they are found to have a medical concern that requires this follow up during data collection.
For the community: Government agencies and local businesses may partner with churches to bring resources and other services into the community. Please reach out to our team if you would like to contribute.
How
Data will be collected to identify those at risk for diabetes and related complications and to evaluate the progress of the program.
PPDP will work with Community Activators, volunteer Peer Support Facilitators and Church Leaders to engage the community by:
- Presenting and discussing a variety of lifestyle messages
- Conducting cooking/nutrition demonstrations
- Creating opportunities for physical activity
For more information please see the frequently asked questions (opens in a new window) page.
Contact
If you are Pasifika church leader or church community member and would like the PPDP team to contact you, please complete this survey. (opens in a new window)
If you would like to know more about PPDP please email ppdp@westernsydney.edu.au.