Help reduce diabetes in aboriginal communities

Diabetes has been referred to as the epidemic of the 21st century and presents great challenges for Australia's health system. Over 1 million Australian's have type 2 diabetes, equating to around 4% of the population, with an estimated further 500,000 cases of silent, undiagnosed type 2 diabetes.  In Australia, one person develops diabetes every five minutes.

Aboriginal people of all age groups are at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes than non-Aboriginal people. In addition to this Aboriginal people experience an earlier onset of diabetes and are also far more likely to experience adverse complications due to diabetes.

This project will increase access to free, filtered, chilled and palatable drinking water and therefore has the potential to reduce the consumption of sugary drinks in remote Aboriginal communities in the Pilbara and Kimberley regions of Western Australia. Strategies include installing a water bubbler in close proximity to the community store and working with the community to promote healthy beverage choices.

Your donation will help deliver…

AIM: To reduce the consumption of sugary drinks through community stores in remote Aboriginal communities in the Kimberley and Pilbara regions of Western Australia.

OBJECTIVE : 1 To increase access to palatable water in remote Western Australian Aboriginal communities.

OBJECTIVE : 2 To increase the preferential pricing, placement and promotion of water in remote Western Australian Aboriginal communities.

OBJECTIVE : 3 To increase knowledge and understanding of the link between sugary drinks and diabetes among school aged children in remote Western Australian Aboriginal communities.

The IPSF, in partnership with Diabetes WA, Nirrumbuk Aboriginal Corporation (NAC) and the Public Health Advocacy Institute WA (PHAIWA), will install water bubblers in close proximity to community stores to increase availability of filtered, chilled and palatable water. This project is endorsed by the Fred Hollows Foundation.