New WSLHD video shows real impact of diabetes
In early May, the Western Sydney Diabetes Initiative was acknowledged at the Western Sydney Summit Leadership Dialogue Forum, taking home a leadership award for its partnership work, as well as the prestigious Pemulwuy award.
As part of this, a hard-hitting video about the impact of diabetes in western Sydney was prepared by WSLHD’s Multimedia team and several staff and patients from Westmead Hospital.
The video portrays the real impacts of diabetes on our population, highlighting the risk of amputations, heart attacks and blindness. The extent of this problem is enormous – 50 per cent of people living in our district are at risk of developing diabetes – that’s half a million people.
The key message of the video was echoed by WSLHD chief executive Danny O’Connor as he accepted the Pemulwuy award – we are taking steps, however more work and significant investment is needed to ensure western Sydney does not become the diabetes capital of Australia.
A collaborative approach is needed to turn the tide on this tsunami.
The LHD welcomes further discussion with all sectors to reduce the impact of this disease in our community.
