Master of Public Health: Diabetes, Gender, and Women's Health Report

This report examines the impact of diabetes on women's health, with a specific focus on the experiences of indigenous women in Australia. It begins with an introduction to non-communicable diseases and diabetes, highlighting its prevalence and characteristics. The report then describes the disease's impact on women, including physical and psychological effects. It explores the determinants of diabetes, such as socio-economic conditions, cultural factors, and psychological influences, particularly within the context of indigenous communities. Furthermore, it analyzes how gender roles and responsibilities influence vulnerability to and outcomes of diabetes, emphasizing the disproportionate impact on women. The report references various studies and reports to support its arguments, providing a comprehensive overview of the issue and its complexities.

Running head: MASTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH 1
Master of Public Health
Author
Institution

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Master of Public Health
Introduction
Non communicable diseases are group of disease that have chronic duration, progressive
and are caused by combination of environmental, genetic and environmental factors (Carin,
2018). According to World Health Organization the four main types of NCDs includes cancer,
chronic respiratory, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes mellitus. Globally NCDs are the
leading cause of death representing a significant percent of 70% mortality, killing 40 million
people each year. According to Australian Medical Students Association (2018) NCDs
contribute to 91% of all death according to in Australia. Moreover, it highlighted that in
Australia and globally the biggest epidemic is CVD causing 17.7 million deaths annually while
Cancer is responsible for 8.8 million deaths, respiratory diseases 3.9 million deaths and annually
diabetes is kills at least 1.6 million people according to.
Diabetes is a chronic illness situation that results in the production of higher blood sugars
than normal. It occurs when the pancreas cannot produce insulin any longer or when the body is
not able to make use of the insulin produced (American Diabetes Association 2014). Insulin
assists the glucose produced by food get into the body cells and used for energy. Thus, unable to
produce or use insulin effectively results in raised levels of glucose in the blood a condition
known as hyperglycemia. Over a long period, high levels of glucose are related to the damage of
the body and the failure of various tissues and organs. The major types include type 1, type 2 and
gestational diabetes.
Description of the disease of the condition or health problem of women and its characteristics.

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Diabetes is one of the world's fastest-growing chronic disease. In Australia, it has reached
an epidemic proportion and poses a challenge to its health systems (Dunstan, Zimmet, Welborn,
2012). The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander disproportionately experience high levels of
diabetes (Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2014). They are likely to suffer diabetes almost
four times compared to non-indigenous Australians. The likelihood of indigenous women is
twice compared to non-indigenous women.
Diabetes affects women in substantial ways. They experience vaginal and oral thrush.
Under the diabetes situation, women are likely to suffer from yeast infection. The high levels of
blood sugar cause a breeding ground for the candida fungus. This condition causes vaginal
discharge, sore skin, itchy sensation, and experience painful sex (Basina, 2018). Their immune is
affected by high levels of blood sugar results in the body's inability to deal with pathogens such
as fungi, bacteria, and viruses. Women suffering from diabetes have a greater risk of Unitary
Tract Infection. Utmost of indigenous women having type 2 diabetes are prone to suffering from
UTI. The symptoms of the UTI comprise experiencing pain during urination, blood in the urine
and cloudy urine. Sexual dysfunction is more prevalent while women are suffering from
diabetes. The risk of Candidiasis or UTI can result in lower libido or sex drive. Usually, women
develop diabetic neuropathy due to the very high level of glucose in the blood which causes
damage to the nerve fibers (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2018).
Discussion of the determinants of diabetes.
The socio-economic conditions such as unemployment and economic hardships deplete
the available financial resources to support the health needs of the indigenous people (Hill,
Ward, Grace & Gleadie, 2017). The financial constraints alter health behaviors. The huge burden
of the cost of the disease affects the indigenous women. The circumstances perceived to be

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overwhelming and prevent people from prioritizing health. Inadequate housing and
overcrowding are psychologically distressing and is a common barrier to good positive behavior.
Hence, leading to comprise of various aspects such as nutrition. Generally, the health status of
Aboriginal and Torres Islander is poor compared to the non-indigenous population (Burrow &
Ride, 2016). They experience less equal opportunity. A large population of the indigenous
people lives under environmental conditions that do not support good health. There have been
few efforts in reducing the inequality gap between the non-indigenous and the indigenous
people. In comparison to the general population, the indigenous people in Australia have not
experienced a reduction in chronic disease prevalence (Australian Indigenous Healthinfonet,
2017).
The social-cultural factors influence the diabetes condition on the indigenous women.
The culture among the indigenous people influences health behavior and other factors that
influence health behavior. Their obligation to support each other and economic hardships results
in a significant impact on their population. Indigenous people support a large network of people
hence depletion of resources and consequently the diet which plays a major role in influencing
their health status (Waterworth et al 2015). The extended pressures on women lead them
practicing unhealthy behaviors. While preserving their culture the indigenous people usually are
criticized by other communities due to participating in activities that are considered inappropriate
(Besancon, 2012).
Psychological influence social relationships on health behavior. Indigenous people
experience racism and oppression from non-indigenous people. The continued constant systemic
racism on their society and interpersonal level has a great influence on a decision on their health
behavior. Due to this, it has been difficult for indigenous people to access health choices or

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health education. Unhealthy options become very accessible. Hence, women resulted in
avoidance behavior and psychological distress and as a result, they have a high prevalence of
having diabetes (Willer, Harreiter & Pacini, 2016).
Discussion how gender roles and responsibilities influence vulnerability to, and, the outcomes of
the diabetes.
Gender roles are behavioral and social norms which within a particular culture, are
widely regarded to be appropriate socially to the individual of a specific sex. Male and females
play a distinct role in society. Diabetes affects women disproportionately compared to men. In a
normal setting among the indigenous people in Australia, the men control the economic activities
of the households while women are left to perform home chores. A high number of
unemployment and low-income level among women is directly attributed to causing diabetes
among women (Scott, 2012). They are exposed to poor nutrition and diet and physical inactivity
disproportionately (Vlasoff, 2017). Hence, it affects women's access to health-seeking behavior
and health behavior and intensifies the impact of diabetes on the indigenous women in Australia.
Consequently, the impact of diabetes is huge among women. Diabetes is the leading
cause of cardiovascular, kidney failure, lower limb and amputation, and blindness. During
pregnancy lack of proper diabetes management increases the risk of fetal and maternal
complications (Nishtar, 2017). Compared to men women suffering type 2 diabetes are in the
likelihood of having heart disease and increased prevalence of developing depression. More
deaths attributed to diabetes are in women than in men in low-income society such as the
indigenous population in Australia. According to the report by the World Health Organization on
women and health, show that high blood glucose and high blood pressure are the leading risk

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factors for death due to chronic conditions in women over 20 years of age (World Health
Organization, 2018).
References
American Diabetes Association 2014. Diagnosing diabetes and learning about pre-diabetes.
Retrieved from: http://www. diabetes.org/are-you-at-risk/prediabetes.
Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2014. Australian Health Survey: National Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander Health Measures Survey 2012–13. Canberra: ABS
Australian Indigenous Healthinfonet (2017). Determinants of Health. Retrieved from:
https://healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au/learn/determinants-of-health/
Australian Medical Students Association (2018). Noncommunicable Diseases. Retrieved from:
https://www.amsa.org.au.site.files/
Basina M. (2018) Everything You Need to Know About Diabetes. Retrieved from:
https://www.healthline.com/health/diabetes
Besancon S (2012). Expert Meeting on Indigenous Peoples, Diabetes and Development Report.
Retrieved from: https://www.worlddiabetesfoundation.org/sites/default/files/Indigenous
%20Peoples%2C%20Diabetes%20and%20Development_IP%20Expert%20Meeting
%202012.pdf
Burrow S, Ride K. (2016). Review of diabetes among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,
Australian Indigenous Health. Retrieved from:
https://healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au/healthinfonet/getContent.php?

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linkid=590810&title=Review+of+diabetes+among+Aboriginal+and+Torres+Strait+Islander
+people
Carin E. (2018) Most Common Non-Communicable Diseases. Retrieved from:
https://www.healthline.com/health/non-communicable-diseases-list
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2018) Diabetes and Women. Retrieved from:
https://www.cdc.gov/features/diabetes-women/index.html
Darren, D. (2012). Social determinant and the health of indigenous peoples in Australia- a human
right based approach. Retrieved from:
https://www.humanrights.gov.au/about/news/speeches/social-determinants-and-health-
indigenous-peoples-australia-human-rights-based
Dunstan DW, Zimmet PZ, Welborn TA et al. 2012. The rising prevalence of diabetes and impaired
glucose tolerance: the Australian diabetes, obesity and lifestyle study. Diabetes Care 25:829–
834
Gotter A & Higuera. (2018). How Diabetes Affects Women: Symptoms, Risks and More. Retrieved
from: https://www.healthline.com/health/diabetes/symptoms-in-women
Hill K, Ward P, Grace B & Gleadie J. (2017). Social disparities in the prevalence of diabetes in
Australia and in the development of end stage renal disease due to diabetes for Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islanders in Australia and Maori and Pacific Islanders in New Zealand.
Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5637272/
Jalan Scott. (2012). Diabetes: A missing Link to achieving sexual and reproductive health in the
Asia-pacific region. Retrieved from:

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https://www.worlddiabetesfoundation.org/sites/default/files/Arrow_DiabetesAMissingLinkto
SRH.pdf
Nishtar S. (2017). World diabetes day 2017: Women and Diabetes. Diabetes is a serious women’s
health issue. Retrieved from: file:///C:/Users/Computer%201/Downloads/DV-October-
2017_final_web-2.pdf
Vlasoff C. (2017). Gender Differences in Determinants and Consequences of Health and Illness.
Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3013263/
Waterworth P, Pescud M, Braham R, Dimmock J & Rosenberg M. (2015). Factors Influencing the
Health Behavior of Indigenous Australians: Perspectives from Support people. Retrieved
from: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0142323
Willer A, Harreiter J & Pacini G. (2016) Sex and Gender Differences in Risk, Pathophysiology and
Complications of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Retrieved from:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4890267/
World Health Organization (2018). Diabetes. Retrieved from:
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact/detail/diabetes.