Additional Information:

The Union of Nova Scotia Indians, through the Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative (ADI) program, first hired a diabetes consultant in 2001 to serve its communities. The ADI program works in partnership with communities to deliver programs that are community-based and focus on preventing diabetes by healthy eating and being physically active.  Programs include diabetes screening, capacity building, and knowledge mobilization to improve health outcomes.

Key successes include the annual Diabetes Self-Management Journeys (DSMJ), and the community-based Mini Diabetes Self-Management Journey.

In addition, the ADI role encompasses a number of unique programs that have been developed in partnership with UNSI communities and partner organizations. Some of these programs started in UNSI communities that have expanded to other Atlantic First Nation communities include:

• Diabetes month Education and Walking Challenge (all UNSI schools with grades 4-6);
• Child and Youth Diabetes Risk Factor Screening Program;
• Annual Diabetes Videoconference Education Session;
• Healthy Living displays at parent-teacher meetings;
• ADI/Waycobah Child and Youth Diabetes Prevention Program aimed at those screened to be most at-risk for developing Type 2 diabetes; and
• Diabetes Fear Factor game (grades 3-7).

Still other community programs are unique and community-exclusive:

• Membertou diabetes working group;
• Potlotek Living in Balance program (healthy living program);
• Wagmatcook partnership with Elders group to promote diabetes prevention and management;
• School Walking Challenge poster celebrating 10 years of success.

The national goal of the Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative (ADI) is to reduce Type 2 Diabetes by supporting health promotion and primary prevention activities and services delivered by community health staff. This goal will be achieved by the following objectives:

• Increasing awareness of diabetes, diabetes risk factors and complications, and approaches to prevent diabetes and associated complications among Aboriginal peoples;
• Increasing the early detection and screening for complications of diabetes in First Nations communities;
• Increasing healthy living practices through improved access to healthy food, healthy eating, physical activity and achieving healthy body weights and creating supportive environments in First Nation communities;
• Increasing Aboriginal ownership of diabetes programs and capacity to prevent and manage diabetes;
• Increasing knowledge development and information sharing to inform community-led evidence based activities in First Nations communities; and
• Develop partnerships to maximize the reach and impact of primary prevention and health promotion activities.