Bridging the barriers to treatment
Cultural and religious differences can sometimes be powerful barriers against proper diabetes treatment. But in Israel, a TakeAction! project targeting the country’s Arab and Jewish-Orthodox communities is working to bridge these differences and improve the lives of people with diabetes.
As one of six runners-up for the 2006 TakeAction! Award, the Israeli project is spreading diabetes awareness in populations where, for example, religious belief might prevent Orthodox Jews from taking insulin on Saturdays. Initiated in 2003 by Novo Nordisk Israel sales manager Avital Aranyis, the project aims to increase diabetes awareness while still respecting religion and tradition.
A highlight of these efforts has been an educational programme among 30 volunteering Jewish-Orthodox women (photo). With the blessing of their local rabbi, these women are now able to spread their knowledge of diabetes to the rest of their communities.
TakeAction! activities include fundraising, environmental and awareness-raising activities reflecting Novo Nordisk’s Triple Bottom Line approach. The Israeli activity encompasses important aspects of diabetes awareness, local empowerment and equal opportunities.
Read more about this and other TakeAction! activities at http://takeaction.novo.dk.
