Highland-Diabetes Project Announced
June 2005
Background: The numbers of children diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in Scotland has trebled over the past 30 years. The northern rural areas have a higher incidence rate than the urban Lowland areas for reasons that are as yet unknown. Delivering education to children and young adults in these areas has presented us with challenges to overcome of accessibility, acceptability and efficacy.
Existing educational initiatives include a video sponsored by the Scottish Executive that provides an overview of diabetes and touches on some of the problems of living with diabetes.
This project has responded to our particular challenges in the Highlands by providing an educational programme via the Internet that is designed initially to equip young people with the knowledge that they require to respond to acute situations that can arise during times of illness. Delivering the programme on the Internet provides equity of access to young people no matter how remote their location. Internet access is available at home, school and at community access points.
More details about this project can be found at http://www.highland-diabetes.org.uk
