King’s researchers are working with London’s South Asian population to offer customised self-management education programmes to patients living with type 2 diabetes.

People with South Asian heritage are up to six times more likely to have type 2 diabetes than the general population. South Asian communities also tend to have less safe diabetes management, putting them at a higher risk of serious health complications such as cardiovascular disease, with survival rates significantly lower than patients of Caucasian heritage.

The bespoke three-month course –   Diabetes for South Asians (DoSA) – was developed over several years using research from King’s College London and the University of Warwick, alongside the first-hand experiences of health workers and South Asian communities in London.

Type 2 diabetes is a long-term health condition characterised by high levels of glucose in the blood. The condition, which is often, but not always, associated with being overweight, can take many years to develop. If not diagnosed early enough, patients are at risk of further complications including heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, eye disease and nerve damage, which can lead to amputation.

DoSA was co-created with patients from Sikh, Punjabi and Gujarati communities during three joint workshops held over six months. The resulting programme provided a range of resources to enable patients to confidently manage their condition.

This included personal appointments with diabetes educators and a comprehensive, accessible guide incorporating information, stories and knowledge quizzes as well as sections where patients could track their personal diabetes journey.