‘Doing it together’ – peer-support and peer-led education for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth living with type 2 diabetes

Our research has shown that Northern Territory (NT) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth have the highest currently reported prevalence of youth-onset type 2 diabetes (T2D) in the world. Our work across Northern Australia has demonstrated significant gaps in care of First Nations youth with T2D. In the NT, youth and health services have clearly articulated the need for strengths-based engagement, and for models of care to incorporate peer-support and peer-led diabetes education. Focusing on the skills and strengths of youth living with T2D builds and develops existing strengths, skills and capacities of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. First Nations youth in the NT have also identified that shame, stigma and isolation are key drivers of poor health and disengagement from self-management. The vision of the project is to improve the wellbeing of, and connection between, young people with type 2 diabetes. The aim is to co-design with young people, their families and communities, and health professionals, a strengths-based approach to support and improve health and social and emotional wellbeing of young people with type 2 diabetes. This project works in partnership with Wurli Wurlinjang Health Service, Katherine West Health Board and NT Health in the Big Rivers region.

For more information or to get involved, contact:
Aiden McDowell (Project Coordinator)
Email: aiden.mcdowell@menzies.edu.au
Phone: 0472 629 854

A multi-pronged approach to enhance type 2 diabetes management among First Nations youth in remote Northern Australia through improved systems of culturally safe and clinically effective care

This project builds upon the previous formative (2018-2020) and Co-Design projects (2020-2023), which explored lived experiences of YT2D and co-designed enhancements to existing models of care. The aims of this project are to evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of specific enhancements to priority areas of YT2D care. Firstly, it is believed that a significant number of young people may have undiagnosed YT2D. The first aim of this project is to evaluate the effectiveness of alternative approaches to screening for YT2D to determine the most effective method of detecting this condition in the community. Secondly, mental health issues are common in young people living with type 2 diabetes. The second aim of this project is to co-design and evaluate enhancements to mental health support for young people diagnosed with YT2D. Finally, early intensive management of blood sugar levels has been shown to improve long term outcomes for YT2D. However, young people living with type 2 diabetes experience high rates of treatment failure. The final aim of this project will be to evaluate the use of novel technologies and more intensive early clinical care on the management of YT2D. This project occur in partnership with local health services and organisations across the Northern Territory and Far North Queensland from 2024-2027.

For more information or to get involved, contact:
Damian Kukulies (Project Coordinator)
Email: damian.kukulies@menzies.edu.au
Phone: 0472 639 845