What is the project?
Research has demonstrated that ethnic minorities are at an increased risk of dying from cardio-metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, stroke or heart attacks in comparison to White Europeans. Health promotion focussing on prevention in community-based settings has been suggested as a an approach to increase low attendance rates with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommending interventions are targeted at high-risk groups, such as ethnic minority communities.
Through the Centre for Ethnic Health Research, Leicester already does a great deal of engagement with local ethnic minority communities, but was inspired by work that has taken place in Houston under the Cities Changing Diabetes programme, where leaders within faith communities are helping to drive awareness, prevention, detection and management of type 2 diabetes.
Based on this evidence and building on the previous work, The CEHR collaborated with local community groups, places of faith and workplaces to understand further what intervention could lead to increased awareness of type 2 diabetes and increased uptake of type 2 diabetes screening within Leicester’s South Asian community. The Empowering Communities community champion training programme was co-developed with communities and research staff at the Leicester Diabetes Centre to train community champions to raise awareness of type 2 diabetes, screen for type 2 diabetes risk and signpost high risk individuals to appropriate support.
What is the aim?
Empowering Communities aims to increase awareness of type 2 diabetes and the risk factors for the condition within ethnic minority communities. The screening and awareness raising is delivered in a culturally appropriate way through a trusted member of the community.
Who is involved?
The Centre for Ethnic Health Research
IMPACT team and EDEN team at The Leicester Diabetes Centre
Local community members
Useful Links
Empowering Communities Final Report
Contact
Dr Sophie Leonardi – sophie.leonardi@uhl-tr.nhs.uk