Review of diabetes among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Diabetes is the fastest growing chronic disease condition globally. Type 2 diabetes in particular, has reached epidemic proportions, with the greatest burden falling on socially disadvantaged groups and Indigenous peoples. This review focuses primarily on type 2 diabetes among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, which is responsible for the majority of cases of diabetes in this population. It provides general information on the social and cultural context of diabetes, and the behavioural and biomedical factors that contribute to diabetes among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This review provides detailed information on: the extent of diabetes among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, including incidence and prevalence data; hospitalisations; mortality and burden of disease the prevention and management of diabetes relevant programs, services, policies and strategies that address the health issue of diabetes among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people two special population groups adolescents pregnant and post-partum women. This review concludes by suggesting possible future directions for combatting the growing epidemic of diabetes among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This review is part of a suite of knowledge exchange products that includes a summary, a video, and a fact sheet

Healthy lifestyle initiatives for increasing fruit and vegetable intake among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

Adequate fruit and vegetable intake is key to reducing chronic disease risk among Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This rapid review collated evidence on healthy lifestyle initiatives that focused on increasing fruit and vegetable intake among Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples residing in major cities. Due to limited studies conducted within major cities, we extended our inclusion criteria to regional and remote areas. Sixteen studies were included. Five (31%) studies were rated as good quality (least risk of bias), 10 (63%) studies were rated as fair, and 1 (6%) study was rated as poor (significant risk of bias). Five (31%) studies employed participatory research in the design and/or execution, and 7 (44%) studies included minimal community involvement. Only 5 (31%) studies were undertaken in major cities; 4 of these combined major cities with regional and/or remote areas. All 5 studies reported positive findings, such as an increase in fresh fruit availability, usage of fresh vegetables, or self-reported fruit and vegetable intake. This review provides evidence confirming the need for high-quality healthy lifestyle initiatives to increase fruit and vegetable intake targeted at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living in major cities. This evidence will assist community organisations in designing effective health promotion interventions, providing insight into improving the structure and function of such programs. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42020194522. Novelty Five studies were undertaken in major cities and all reported positive findings; only 1 study was rated as good quality. Presented data supports the need for high-quality studies to be conducted among those residing in major cities