Minister Dominello launches App at Narrabeen camp
Sikh Youth Australia has launched CultureCare to raise awareness, within the Sikh and Punjabi communities, on diabetes, cardiac issues, and general health and lifestyle matters. The program was launched at the 16th Annual Sikh Youth Summer Camp at the NSW Institute of Sports and Recreation in Narrabeen, Sydney.
Speaking at the launch yesterday (10 January) Victor Dominello, minister for citizenship, communities and Aboriginal affairs, praised the Sikh community for their civic responsibility and contributions to Australian society.
The 5-day Annual Sikh Summer Youth Camp concludes on Sunday. It is recognised that a combination of hereditary and lifestyle factors puts the Sikh and Punjabi community at high risk for diabetes and heart disease and other health-related complications. With these concerns in mind, Sikh Youth Australia’s CultureCare aims to educate the community.
The program will aim to convey the benefits of lifestyle changes to reduce the chances of early onset of illnesses arising from certain lifestyle choices.
The CultureCare initiative was born out of an idea put forward in 2012 at SYA’s Sikh Youth Leadership Camp. It adopts a three-pronged approach – education, assessment and improvement — to reduce or delay the onset of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. It has also integrated modern technology into the program with the introduction of a free mobile-based application available on IPhones. This will allow a personalised assessment of the absolute risks of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The software utilises the Absolute cardiovascular risk assessment tool and the Australian Type 2 Diabetes Risk Assessment Tool (AUSDRISK), which is used by medical practitioners across Australia.
The software also encourages users to visit their GP. The app targets migrant Sikhs and Punjabis who may not speak English and as such provides the option of consulting Punjabi-speaking GPs.
SYA is currently in the process of acquiring a patent for this new app. Launching the initiative, Mr Dominello said, “having ideas is fine, but what SYA has done with CultureCare is commendable.”
Talking about Culture Care, SYA spokesman Satwant Singh Calais said: “What is exciting about the program is that it can be extended to many ethnic communities in Australia and across the world.”
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