Wellington’s indigenous households, teams sort out diabetes as a part of pilot program | Every day Liberal

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The scourge of type 2 diabetes in generations of Wellington families is being tackled by a pilot program called Winya Marang. It is aimed at families and groups of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in the city, with information sessions generating interest. The nonprofit and registered charity Marathon Health operates Winya Marang to “break the intergenerational cycle of type 2 diabetes”. ALSO READ: It works with Western Sydney University to measure “the usefulness of working with family groups in breaking the cycle of diabetes”. Indigenous Australians are reported to be three times more likely to develop diabetes than non-indigenous Australians. You are more likely to develop diabetes-related complications and go to the hospital. Winya Marang aims to change the statistics through a “whole family or group” approach to treating diabetes. Families and groups eligible for the program must have at least one member diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Marathon Health staff, including diabetes educators, nutritionists, and Aboriginal health workers, help families and groups create plans. The plans can help with disease management, cooking, shopping on a budget, quitting smoking, understanding medications, foot care, eye care, activity, and sugar monitoring. Alison Amor, a senior diabetic with Marathon Health, said type 2 diabetes is becoming more and more diagnosed in younger generations, including teenagers. “Through Winya Marang, we hope that entire families can change their perspective on their health and self-care,” she said. “There are excellent role models in the community and we want people to learn from each other what is really important to them.” Annette Peachey, Health Worker at Marathon Health, said she had a “great response” to the program. “We had two days of information and since we’ve spent the time building relationships with the communities we’ve found that participants get excited, excited about the program and asked questions,” she said. “It’s really great to see.” More information is available at www.marathonhealth.com.au/winya-marang. The Federal Ministry of Health finances the program. Our journalists work hard to bring local, breaking news to the community. Here’s how you can still access our trusted content:

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PARTICIPANTS: Collin Hill (center) participates in the Winya Marang pilot program with Andrew, Zachary and Rhylee Hill. Photo: CONTRIBUTED.

The scourge of type 2 diabetes in generations of Wellington families is being tackled by a pilot program called Winya Marang.

It is aimed at families and groups of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in the city, with information sessions generating interest.

The nonprofit and registered charity Marathon Health operates Winya Marang to “break the intergenerational cycle of type 2 diabetes”.

It is working with Western Sydney University to measure “the usefulness of working with family groups in breaking the cycle of diabetes”.

Indigenous Australians are reported to be three times more likely to develop diabetes than non-indigenous Australians.

You are more likely to develop diabetes-related complications and go to the hospital.

Winya Marang aims to change the statistics through a “whole family or group” approach to treating diabetes.

Families and groups eligible for the program must have at least one member diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

Marathon Health staff, including diabetes educators, nutritionists, and Aboriginal health workers, help families and groups create plans.

The plans can help with disease management, cooking, shopping on a budget, quitting smoking, understanding medications, foot care, eye care, activity, and sugar monitoring.

Alison Amor, a senior diabetic with Marathon Health, said type 2 diabetes is becoming more and more diagnosed in younger generations, including teenagers.

“Through Winya Marang, we hope that entire families can change their perspective on their health and self-care,” she said.

“There are excellent role models in the community and we want people to learn from each other what is really important to them.”

Annette Peachey, Health Worker at Marathon Health, said she had a “great response” to the program.

“We had two days of information and since we’ve spent the time building relationships with the communities we’ve found that participants get excited, excited about the program and asked questions,” she said. “It’s really great to see.”

The Federal Ministry of Health finances the program.

Our journalists work hard to bring local, breaking news to the community. Here’s how you can still access our trusted content: