Brand new organisation addresses ethnic group

Published: 11 May 2011

RCN Forum Chair Grace Vanterpool and Newsletter Editor Mulli Lawal are among the co-founders of the African Caribbean Diabetes Foundation UK (ACDF – UK), which aims to improve awareness about diabetes care for this ethnic group.

The NICE (2011) document on quality standards states that diabetes and its complications are common in disadvantaged populations and in certain ethnic groups. Similarly, it has been acknowledged that people of African Caribbean descent are more likely to develop diabetes than some other ethnic groups. In the same way, NICE (2011) advocates that treatment, care and information given about diabetes should be culturally appropriate.

To address these needs, the ACDF – UK was launched in November 2010 to increase awareness and target this ethnic group.

Grace and Muili are presently serving as part of the ACDF steering group, taking the roles of Interim Chair and Assistant Secretary, respectively. If you are a health care professional from the African Caribbean community and would like more information on the organisation, please email Grace Vanterpool.