Innovative Recommendations to Aid First Nations Youth with Type 2 Diabetes in Schools

A recent initiative led by the Menzies School of Health Research has developed a set of seven collaborative recommendations aimed at improving support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth living with type 2 diabetes within educational institutions. The findings, published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, underscore the critical role of schools as pivotal environments for fostering the health and well-being of these young individuals.

The research draws from the lived experiences of First Nations youth in the Northern Territory, highlighting essential strategies to combat diabetes stigma, enhance nutritional education, and provide targeted clinical management support. The core recommendations are as follows:

• Integrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership into health strategies and support frameworks.
• Mitigate shame and stigma associated with type 2 diabetes by promoting a holistic approach to well-being.
• Develop personalized support plans for students diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
• Strengthen partnerships between schools and local primary healthcare services.
• Offer training for school staff to boost their confidence in assisting students managing diabetes.
• Create secure environments where students can store medications and monitor their blood glucose levels.

Currently, young people in the Northern Territory face the highest prevalence of youth-onset type 2 diabetes globally, necessitating an urgent response. The research advocates for a strengths-based approach and co-designed care models that prioritize the well-being of these youth, emphasizing the impact of personal experience in driving positive change.

This study coincides with the Partnership's 14th Annual Educational Symposium, which is set to occur on August 8, 2025. The symposium will focus on the significance of community-driven partnerships and co-designed research in effecting change in diabetes care. Attendees, including over 300 diabetes specialists, health practitioners, and stakeholders from the Northern Territory and Far North Queensland, will gather in various locations, including Darwin and Alice Springs, as well as online. The event aims to share the latest advancements in diabetes research and care, with a particular emphasis on youth-onset diabetes. Notably, international expert Professor Brandy Wicklow from the University of Manitoba will present her work addressing complications associated with diabetes in the youth demographic.