Samtaler om mat på helsestasjonen - Utvikling av kultursensitiv helse- og ernæringskommunikasjon for helsestasjonstjenesten (SOMAH)

Meeting the health care needs of the ethnic minority groups is a challenge for the health care system, particularly the dramatic rise in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). These groups struggle to make use of and implement information from health care worke rs. The poor interaction can be related to lack of cultural competence and awareness of the health care worker as to adopt their communication to the needs of the patient/client. This project relate specifically to the health and nutrition in relation to preventing T2DM, and the main aim is to develop approaches for culture sensitive health and nutrition communication aimed at improving the health of ethnic minority groups. The approaches will be adapted for implementation by the Mother and Child Health C linics in areas with a high proportion of ethnic minority groups. Some of the key questions addressed are: What are the main challenges midwifes and publis health nurses face when communicating about diet and health with ethnic minority groups? How is the information understood by women and can they implement it into their daily life? Which dietary changes would provide the potentially largest health effects? The expected outcome is a course model with corresponding educational tools.