STEP 1: PROMOTE KEY MESSAGES
Key messages can be easily shared on social media platforms during health events, awareness days and integrate them into existing diabetes and health programs.
Diabetes is a major cause of vision loss and blindness for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Up to 98% of vision loss and blindness from diabetes is preventable with early detection and follow-up treatment.
Key messages include
- Everyone with diabetes is at risk of going blind.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with diabetes require a YEARLY eye check to reduce their risk of vision loss and blindness
- Diabetes can cause damage at the back of your eye without you knowing. Don’t wait for symptoms.
- Good diabetes management including controlling blood sugars, blood pressure and cholesterol levels, is important for preventing vision loss and blindness.
- Following treatment as directed by an eye specialist can prevent further vision loss
Health awareness days
- World Sight Day is an annual day of awareness held on the second Thursday of October each year, to focus global attention on blindness and vision impairment.
- National Diabetes Week always includes the week around 14 July.
- World Diabetes Day is an international event to raise awareness about diabetes, celebrated every year on 14 November.
- JulEYE is The RANZCO Eye Foundation’s national eye health awareness month that takes place during July each year.
Social media messages
Suggested social media hash tags: #checktodayseetomorrow #CTST #urbaneyes #seetomorrow #diabeteseyecare #diabetes
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