Article by Stephen Forbes, Local Democracy Reporter for Stuff, with the headline "100 new health coaches to help Pasifika with diabetes in south Auckland".
The intention is that these coaches will train up to prevent diabetes. Dr John Baker, Chair of Diabetes Foundation Aotearoa notes that the funding for health coaches is "commendable", however with his experience seeing the impact of diabetes on people in the area, he feels more is needed. With on the current numbers of people with diabetes this initiative would work out at "less than one health coach for every 150 people with the condition".
It was good to see acknowledgement by Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio that “Diabetes is one of the major contributors to a significant and growing gap in life expectancy between Pacific and non-Māori, non-Pacific peoples.”
