Diabetes Day – EstMSA Estonia

Name of the activity: Diabetes Day

Country/NMO: EstMSA Estonia

Program: Healthy Lifestyles & Non-Communicable Diseases

Contact information: contact [email protected] to get in touch with the Activity Coordinator

Type of the activity: Replicating Activity

Category: Campaign

Focus area: Diabetes

Sustainable Development Goals addressed: SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being)

General description:

During one day, people’s blood sugar values are measured in about ten different shopping centers across the country. The aim is to raise people’s awareness of diabetes and healthy lifestyle. If necessary, people are advised to consult a family doctor.

Problem statement:

According to the Estonian Diabetes Association, approximately 70,000 people have been diagnosed with diabetes in Estonia. It is believed that about the same number of people have diabetes without knowing it. Thanks to organizing such an event, we have the opportunity to reach people who are not yet aware of their health problems.

Target groups:

• General population

Beneficiaries:

• General population

Objectives:

To share information about diabetes in the population by measuring the blood sugar values of 3000 people.

People with a value higher than the norm are additionally referred to their family doctor.

Train at least 50 medical students to measure blood sugar values.

Introduce the importance of support dogs in three measurement locations.

Indicators of Success:

Blood sugar values are measured in at least 1,500 people.

About 25% of those measured have elevated blood sugar levels and are referred to their family doctor.

80% of the expected number of medical students will be trained.

Include a support dog in at least one measurement location.

Methodology:

The whole organization takes approximately 5 months. The organizing team consists of approximately 10 people, among whom responsibilities are distributed on an ongoing basis and according to interest. First, they are looking for sponsors and cooperation partners. Once the agreements have been reached, designs and advertising posters are made. Advertisements are distributed on social media, newspapers, radio and television. The last step is the training of medical students.

Plans for evaluation:

On the day of measurement, all measured values are written down in a common document – based on this information, the number of participants and the percentage of increased values from all measurements can be added up later.

Medical students who are interested in improving their skills within the framework of this event must register and complete the training, in this way we have collected the necessary information to draw conclusions.

The participation of support dogs depends to a large extent on the willingness of the organizations that include them to join our event, but this can be clarified during the communication that takes place before the event.

External collaborations:

Yes, mainly companies selling medical supplies to get the needed supplies. If possible, sponsors to reimburse transport costs.