Diabetes Information In Twenty Languages

Main Category: Diabetes
Article Date: 12 Sep 2010 - 0:00 PST


Leading health charity Diabetes UK now has a range of diabetes literature in twenty different languages. The charity has focussed on materials in many Eastern European languages as well as Chinese, Somali, Arabic, and the main South Asian languages. The charity has done this to ensure communities at high risk of diabetes can access this vital information.

Diabetes UK also hopes the information will raise awareness of the condition and meet the needs of people with diabetes from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities living in the UK.

Ethnicity is a key factor in the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes[1]. In white people, Type 2 diabetes usually occurs above the age of 40, but Black and South Asian people can develop the condition from the age of 25.

"With the growth of newer communities in the UK and a seemingly high prevalence of diabetes and inequalities in accessing care among these groups, Diabetes UK now provides diabetes information in a variety of other languages that we long since had gaps in," explains Jenne Dixit, Diabetes UK Equality and Diversity Manager.

"The language centre now produces diabetes information in twenty languages. We have focussed on Eastern European communities and have also consulted with the different UK regions and nations to determine population groups in certain areas."

To access diabetes information in one of the twenty languages, visit the Diabetes UK Language Centre.

Notes

1 Type 2 diabetes develops when the body doesn't produce enough insulin or the insulin that is produced doesn't work properly. The symptoms of diabetes include increase thirst, extreme tiredness, going to the toilet a lot, unexplained weight loss, genital itching or regular episodes of thrush, blurred vision and slow healing of cuts and wounds. Type 2 diabetes usually appears in people aged over 40, however Type 2 diabetes can go undetected for ten years or more, meaning 50 per cent of people already have complications by the time they are diagnosed. If left untreated or not managed well, the condition can lead to complications such as heart disease, stroke, amputation, blindness and kidney disease.

2 Diabetes UK is the leading charity for the three million people in the UK with diabetes. We will spend £6 million on research in 2010 as well as campaign and provide information and support.

3 In the UK, there are currently 2.6 million people diagnosed with diabetes and it is estimated that up to half a million people have Type 2 diabetes but do not know it.

4 The Diabetes UK Careline (0845 120 2960) offers information and support on any aspect of managing diabetes. The line is a low cost number and opens Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm (and operates a translation service). Recorded information on a number of diabetes-related topics is also available on this number 24 hours a day.

5 Supporting our work as a 'Diabetes UK Supporting Member' entitles you to a range of benefits including our bi-monthly magazine Balance, reliable information booklets on diabetes, our confidential Diabetes UK Careline, over 400 local Diabetes UK support groups, and access to an exclusive personalised 'Supporting Members Area' on our website.

Source:
Diabetes UK

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