Study Produces “A Type 2 Diabetes Primary Prevention

Model for High-Risk Ethnocultural Groups”

Ottawa, March 11, 2004. The Canadian Ethnocultural Council (CEC) announces completion of a culturally appropriate resource information package about type 2 diabetes for use by healthcare providers and healthcare agencies across Canada. This resource package was developed in partnership with the London InterCommunity Health Centre.

This innovative package contains a culturally appropriate diabetes primary prevention model that can be adapted for use in different ethnic communities. It provides a community development approach to primary prevention strategies for diabetes. The manual can be used for training and continuing education and the video helps to present information to ethnic populations. This information is especially important because of the toll that diabetes takes on the Canadian healthcare system and on the lives of those who have the disease. Ethnic groups are especially affected by diabetes. Some may have a genetic predisposition to diabetes, and culture, language, and literacy present barriers in understanding the risks of the disease, preventing or mitigating its effects, and following prescribed treatment plans.

The principal beneficiaries of this initiative will be healthcare professionals and administrators of healthcare agencies that provide services for older adults from ethnic communities. Indirect beneficiaries will be the ethnic older adults and the Canadian healthcare system.

“The CEC greatly appreciates the financial support from Prevention and Promotion Contribution Program, Health Canada in developing this valuable resource,” says Art Hagopian, President of the CEC. “This information, the first of its kind, provides a culturally appropriate model that can be adapted for use in all ethnic communities. It also educates healthcare workers on the value and methods of diabetes primary prevention.”

The CEC, established in 1980, is Canada’s premier advocacy body on multiculturalism and the country’s only coalition of ethnocultural umbrella organizations. The CEC has been recognized across the country for its innovation in developing tools to meet the needs of the ethnocultural elderly population. Previous CEC-produced studies and publications have helped healthcare professionals and the ethnic seniors.

For more information, contact: Telephone (613) 230-3867; Fax (613) 230-8051

E-mail: cec@web.ca; Website: www.ethnicaging.ca