The goal of the SERDC’s Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative (ADI) is to reduce type 2 diabetes among First Nation residents in SERDC communities by supporting the ADI workers and health providers in the community in offering healthy living and prevention activities and services. The community-based ADI workers work in partnership with other service providers as well as other health promotion organizations such as the National Aboriginal Diabetes Association to facilitate a range of prevention, screening and treatment programs. Through these activities, the ADI supports prevention, health promotion, screening and care management initiatives that are community-based and culturally appropriate.

The objectives of ADI include:

• Creating supportive environments and increasing healthy behaviours through improved access to healthy food and promotion of healthy eating, physical activity, and healthy body weights;
• Increasing awareness of diabetes, diabetes risk factors and complications, and approaches to prevent diabetes and its complications;
• Increasing the early detection and screening for complications of diabetes;
• Increasing community ownership of diabetes programs and capacity to prevent, delay and manage diabetes;
• Increasing knowledge and information sharing to inform community-led, evidence-based activities; and
• Developing partnerships to maximize the reach and impact of primary prevention and health promotion activities.

SERDC’s Tribal Diabetes Coordinator provides support and resources (such as healthy living initiatives, staff education, and client education guidance and materials) to local ADI workers and community health staff.