Te Wai o Rona: Diabetes Prevention Strategy
Research Project
posted by admin on 16 July 2009
Description
The project was a randomised trial of lifestyle change among Māori in whole communities. It intended to serve as a model for the rest of New Zealand under the National Diabetes Research Strategy.
Te Wai O Rona is a programme testing whether intensive lifestyle change across whole communities over a period of several years can prevent progression to Type 2 diabetes.
The programme aims to reduce the rate of Type 2 diabetes among Māori, through building on the community and whanau structures already in place. The intervention has been developed as a partnership between iwi, Māori and non-Māori health services and researchers. Those taking part in the project will be screened for diabetes at 0, 18 and 30 months. Both the participant and his or her GP receive the results of the screening programme, and those with new diabetes will see their GP with no out-of-pocket expense for the first visit. All participants receive information about their results, and ways to prevent diabetes. The Taupo area will be the control group from which a comparison will be measured against the Turangi/Waitahanui intensive programme group. People participating in Taupo will be able to receive supported services from General Practitioners. Those people in the Turangi/Waitahanui area will be the intensive group, and will be seen by the specially trained Māori community health workers.
The strategy has been put on hold due to a lack of funding.
Investigators David Simmons (Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge University Hospital’s NHS Foundation trust -previously at Waikato Hospital) and Elaine Rush (AUT).
Dissemination
Background and history of the project on Sport Waikato website, http://www.sportwaikato.org.nz/main.cfm?id=216
Funders
Health Research Council of New Zealand
Lakes District Health Board
Ministry of Health
Sport New Zealand (Formerly SPARC)