West Limerick Resources - "Committed to the Community"

Diabetes

For World Diabetes Day 2011, the PHCP worked with the Rathkeale business community to help people prevent or manage type 2 diabetes.

The Community Health Workers managed an information stand for four mornings in the main supermarket in the town. Information posters from the International Diabetes Federation on the risk factors and signs and symptoms of diabetes were displayed in various businesses. The two pharmacies ran health awareness days which people could sign up to at the information stand. The local bakery held a tasting day of products that are suitable for people watching their sugar and calorie intake. The health shop had information and products available during the week and the local fruit and vegetable shop had free copies of the food pyramid available for customers.

Since diet was the key focus of the campaign, a large pull-up banner with the food pyramid was on display in the shop leading up to and during the campaign. The Community Health Workers reported that a good number of people commented on how "good" and "visual" the banner was. Finally, there were 140 entries to a draw for three hampers all sponsored Eurospar and Essence of Life shop. The contents of the hampers were all healthy options - advice on this was sought from the Community Dietician during a morning's training session for all the staff in preparation for the campaign. The two true/false statements on the draw entry form were: 1. It is better to eat more foods from the top shelves of the food pyramid than the bottom shelves. 2. Baking and grilling food are healthier than frying food.

Ninety-four information packs were distributed over the four mornings, although the Community Health Workers say they spoke to even more people than the number of packs they distributed. A follow-up evaluation showed great enthusiasm for the initiative on the part of both business representatives and the wider community. This will certainly be rolled out again in 2012 using this year's experience and learning.

Updated March 2012