Western Sydney Diabetes, pioneered by Professor Stephen Leeder, Professor Stephen Colagiuri and Conjoint Associate Professor Walter Kmet, and led by Professor Glen Maberly since it was established, celebrated its 10th anniversary this
month.
The ABC's Dr Norman Swan and Blacktown community leader Dr Jim Taggart facilitated five panels to build on the achievements of type 2 diabetes awareness, prevention, detection and management in Western Sydney.
Morgan Stewart, CEO of Workers Lifestyle Group said Workers Blacktown was proud to host the celebration.
"The success of Western Sydney Diabetes has been in its work in primary prevention by harnessing public and private voices and resources."
"We are in year two of a five-year commitment of $100,00 a year to best the scourge of diabetes and we have been collaborating with Western Sydney Diabetes, WentWest and Novo Nordisk during that time to good effect.
"A tangible result has been the 2kg Challenge, a campaign to improve the health and well-being of the Western Sydney community, which was rolled out to 27 local GP practices during diabetes week facilitated by WentWest.
"The campaign asks participants to lose 2kg and keep it off, as this will reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes by 30%."
Western Sydney Diabetes is a unique example of mobilising the disparate parts of the health system to collaborate on beating diabetes in Western Sydney. This initiative is supported from local, state and federal governments and the dedication of regions medical and community leaders.
Public engagement has been enhanced through place-based community groups, supported by larger local organisations like the Workers Lifestyle Group.
The Western Sydney Diabetes 10-year celebration at Workers Blacktown also featured the launch of the Western Sydney Diabetes song, with lyrics written by Professor Maberly.
PANELS – FACILITATED BY DR NORMAN SWAN AND DR JIM TAGGART
The Pioneers of Western Sydney Diabetes.
• Panellists: Prof Stephen Leeder, Emeritus Professor of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Sydney; Prof Stephen Colagiuri, Professor of Metabolic Health Medicine, The Boden Initiative, University of Sydney; Conjoint Associate Professor Walter Kmet, CEO MQ Health.
Primary Prevention Champions.
• Panellists: Janine Dawson, Specialist Sporting Bodies & Stakeholder Relations, Workers Lifestyle Group; Doug Thompson, Principal Policy Officer; Prof. Thomas Astell-Burt, Professor of Cities and Planetary Health, University of Sydney; Matthew O’Connor, Manager Recreation Planning and Design, Blacktown City Council; and Simon Cowie, General Manager, NSW, Heart Foundation.
General Practitioner Champions.
• Panellists: Dr Shanthini Seelan, Dr Kean-Seng Lim, Dr Prashanta Mallick.
Government Perspectives.
• Panellists: MP Stephen Bali, Blacktown; MP Hugh McDermott, MP Dr Mike Freelander, Macarthur; The Hills Mayor Dr Peter Gangemi and Cumberland Mayor Lisa Lake.
The Future of Western Sydney Diabetes
• Panellists: Jasmin Ellis, General Mana.er, Integrated and Community Health, Co-Chair Executive Management Team, Western Sydney Diabetes, Western Sydney Local Health District; Andrew Newton, CEO, Western Sydney Primary Health Network (WSPHN) - Co-Chairs Executive Management Team, Western Sydney Diabetes, (WSLHD); Conjoint Professor Diana O'Halloran AO, Chair, WentWest (WSPHN); Prof Glen Maberly, Director, Western Sydney Diabetes; Rowan Clifford, Group Executive Health Service Operations, Diabetes Australia; Cem Ozenc, Corporate Vice President and General Manager at Novo Nordisk Oceania; and Morgan Stewart, CEO, Workers Lifestyle Group.
