When we think about global health issues, there is a tendency to make a clear distinction between developing and developed nations based on the types of diseases that are prevalent. In the developing world we tend to focus on communicable disease such as HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, as well as diseases relating to poor sanitation such as typhoid and cholera. In developed nations we are more concerned with diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
As the world changes, however, and the “western” way of living becomes more prominent in the developing world, we are finding that this sharp distinction is not entirely accurate. This is especially true for diabetes. While diabetes is a massive problem in the United States and other developed nations, 80% of diabetes related deaths occur in the developing world. (World Health Organization)
The increasing rate of diabetes has been particularly evident in the country of India, which now has more people living with diabetes than any other nation. In 2000, India had over 31 million people living with the disease and that number is expected to increase to over 79 million by 2030; an increase of 151%. (Wild and Associates Diabetes Care, Vol 27, No. 5, May 2004) Some estimate that the numbers are much higher. The rates are especially high in southern India, in and around Tamil Nadu.
So it is clear that what was once a health concern of the developed world is now becoming a global pandemic. Combating diabetes in countries like India presents a number of obstacles. While Indians have adopted certain elements of “western” culture and diet, their earnings have not corresponded with these changes. In other word, Indians are increasingly eating western style “junk food”, but their income remains low relative to the cost of treatment. Because of this, Indians who choose to treat diabetes, on average, spend a much larger portion of their income to do so when compared to the individuals in developed nations. Studies in India estimate that, for a low-income Indian family with an adult with diabetes, up to 25% of a family’s income may be devoted to care for diabetes. In the United States families with a child who has diabetes, will spend up to 10% (world health organization).Because of the related expenses of the disease and an overall lack of education, many Indians leave the disease untreated, which in return increases the rate of diabetes deaths compared to developed nations. In order to curb the growing number of diabetes related deaths in India, we must address the affordability of diabetes treatment and diagnosis, and support these efforts with a campaign towards public awareness.
LCMS World Relief and Human Care is partnering with the India Evangelical Lutheran Church (IELC) to help address this major public health concern. Together we are offering a series of educational camps to raise awareness in targeted communities where rates of diabetes are reaching pandemic levels. These camps will be intended to educate adults and children living with the disease on appropriate methods of monitoring and treating their disease. The camps will also provide an emphasis to the general public on prevention and healthy living. This camp can only be a small contribution to this effort, but will hopefully help the IELC build their capacity to continue this campaige.Our primary goals in this initiative will be:
1. Identify the targeted communities depending on where the IELC currently has infrastructure in place and where the need is greatest (India has drastically different rates according to regions).
2. Develop at campaign designed to actively recruit volunteers with skills specific to diabetes education and to generate funds designated for this cause.
3. Develop curricula and the style of seminar according to culture of the local community. This means the partners will help establish best practices and the most effective from of delivery. After which professionals, both Indian and American, will apply their knowledge and skills within these parameters. The idea being that while Americans may have a strong understanding of the content and may have experience with diabetes education in the United States; their approach to teaching may not be effective in India if they are not aware of certain norms.
4. Develop future goals to insure the impact of the seminars and this partnership are sustained. This could be in the form of future seminars and/or other projects, such as medical shipping with an emphasis on monitors and strips, etc.
If you are interested in participating in this effort, or making a donation to the cause, please contact us at mercymedical@lcms.org.
Here is an interesting article, effectively capturing the issue:
