Diabetes Australia marked World Diabetes Day and NAIDOC Week celebrating the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurse Diabetes Educators.

The theme for World Diabetes Day 2020 is Diabetes: nurses make the difference and the theme for NAIDOC week in 2020 is Always Was, Always Will Be. This theme recognises the fact that First Nations people have occupied and cared for this continent and themselves for over 65,000 years this. An important reminder for health organisations.

Diabetes Australia, CEO Professor Greg Johnson said First Nations nurses are playing a major role in helping to meet the challenges of the diabetes epidemic.

“First Nations Peoples in Australia are four times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes and much more likely to develop serious diabetes-related complications. The gap in health outcomes for indigenous Australians is greatest in diabetes,” Professor Johnson said.

“Despite the size of the challenge, we should take heart that we have a growing First Nations health work force who are working hard every single day caring for, and supporting, people with diabetes.

“There are approximately 3000 First Nations nurses in Australia, and I take this opportunity today to recognise their contribution and, on behalf of people with diabetes, say thank you.”

Proud Wiradjuri woman Dr Tamara Power, member of the Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Nurses and Midwives working at the University of Technology Sydney, is one of Australia’s leading First Nations nurse academics. She has more than 15 years’ experience in nursing, education, and research, and more recently diabetes research and paediatric endocrinology.

“My experiences with diabetes have been tragic. A pregnant cousin of mine, who lives with type 2 diabetes, gave birth to a full-term, stillborn baby and that was partly due to complications from high blood glucose levels during pregnancy,” Dr Power said.

“I have many family members and friends who’ve been diagnosed with diabetes and are living with severe complications like cardiac and renal disease. As a First Nations person you generally know a lot of people with diabetes, that’s the reality of the diabetes epidemic

“This is what inspired me to become a nurse and it drove me to pursue a career in diabetes education and research.

“My research is unique in that I am an Aboriginal Diabetes Educator currently focused on the experiences and health care preferences of First Nations people living with diabetes in Western Sydney.

“What it has uncovered is people reporting a lack of cultural safety for people with diabetes in our health systems. Most diabetes resources and programs aren’t designed by or with First Nations people which means they aren’t always culturally appropriate.

“We need a strength-based approach that helps empower people with positive examples. First Nations people do very well in Indigenous-led group education where they can learn with and from each other.

“My research also points to the importance of story-telling in healthcare. First Nations people often prefer a more narrative approach; to see and hear from other people who have had experiences they can relate to.

“It’s really about living up to the NAIDOC Week theme: always was, always will be. Simple really!”

Dr Power has a simple message to people looking to improve outcomes for First Nations people with diabetes.

“I want to encourage First Nations young people to consider a career in nursing specialising in diabetes. This is a career that can really impact the lives of people in our community and help keep our community strong,” she said.

CEO of the Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses and Midwives Professor Roianne West said “the organisation is committed to ensuring First Nations knowledges are acknowledged in all areas of Nursing”.

“We’d like to see universities offering more scholarships and support to help people obtain diabetes-related qualifications. We need to make it more affordable for people to get the qualifications they need if we are to increase the precious resource of First Nations health professionals working with and for community,” Professor West said.

Find our more about the Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses and Midwives by visiting https://www.catsinam.org.au