Join a powerful, unprecedented alliance for better eye health for all.
Join IAPB-
Choose an alternate language here
Training in different languages to improve diabetes control and reduce the risk of diabetic-related blindness.
Within the Anglia Ruskin University’s Diabetic Retinopathy Awareness Program (ARUDRAP) at the Vision and Eye Research Institute (VERI), and the Centre for Inclusive Community Eye Health, we have shown that some groups including South Asian, Afro-Caribbean, and Chinese have a higher risk of sight-threatening retinopathy.
We have identified various factors that increase this risk. These are lower awareness of diabetes and how to control it, language barriers and also lower knowledge of the importance of regular retinal screening (Pardhan, Sapkota et al. BMC Public Health. 2024; 24(1), 55; Front Endocrinology. 2023; 14,1076253; Ethnicity and Health. 2020; 25(6), 843-861, and Sapkota, Pardhan et al. BMJ Open Ophthalmology. 2019; 4(1); BMJ Open Diabetes Research and Care. 2018; 6(1)).
As a result, we have developed linguistically and culturally- appropriate tailored video training in more than a dozen languages to improve awareness and management of diabetes and diabetic retinopathy. These include Nepali, Hindi, Urdu, Bangla, Gujrati, Arabic, Tamil, Sinhala, Swahili, Cantonese, Polish
We have pioneered these in community centres, religious places as well as hospitals. These are making a significant impact in diverse communities across the UK and beyond, including Nepal and India.
We have increased diabetic-related literacy in over 150,000 people across the world. Please feel free to use them as you wish.
Diabetes and preventing diabetic blindness Hindi मधुमेह और मधुमेह अंधापन की रोकथाम 1 (youtube.com)
Diabetes and preventing diabetic blindness English2 (youtube.com)
Diabetes and Preventing Diabetic Blindness- Chinese (Cantonese) (預防糖尿病和糖尿病失明) (youtube.com)
Patients have reported:
“We learnt new knowledge about diabetes by attending the event, which was presented in simple Nepali language.” [Participant Pokhara, Nepal]
“We will go and have a diabetic eye check today – we don’t want to go blind by delaying it…”[ Participant Darjeeling, India]
“This is a very educational and brilliant health workshop. Thanks very much! …”[Participant Cambridge, UK]
“The workshop was very informative, and the video education material was easy to understand. Future similar events would be useful in refreshing our understanding about diabetes and its self-care.” [Participant, Bristol, UK]
“The entire church people were grateful for your … presentation on eye health and the importance of retinal screening especially in people with diabetes.” [Participant, South-end on Sea]
We are committed to empowering individuals with the knowledge they need to take control of their diabetic health and prevent the complications associated with diabetes. Through community engagement and innovative educational tools, we strive to make a lasting difference in the fight against diabetes and diabetic eye disease.
