About health while shopping?
World Diabetes Day has been on 14 November since 1991. Why 14 November? It is the birthday of Canadian physician Frederick Banting, who was credited with inventing the diabetes drug insulin. That is why students and members of IFMSA CZ Brno traditionally organized the World Diabetes Day in OC Olympia on the weekend of 11-12 November 2023. Shoppers had the opportunity to stop by the students of our faculty and find out information about their health condition and how to contribute to the health care of themselves and their loved ones.
Diabetes mellitus, or diabetes, is a disease manifested by elevated blood sugar levels. It is a serious disease that is accompanied by severe late effects. According to the statistics of the Institute of Health Insurance, there are almost one million diagnosed diabetics in the Czech Republic, which is approximately one tenth of the population. We would like to prevent this, and therefore, within the framework of student activities of the IFMSA CZ Brno organization, we try every year to raise awareness and education on the issue of healthy lifestyle and prevention of obesity and diabetes mellitus.
This year's event was traditionally held at the Olympia Brno shopping centre on 11-12 November 2023 and was attended by around 700 visitors. The event was held under the auspices of the Mayor of Brno, the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine of Masaryk University and the Director of St. Anne's University Hospital in Brno.
On the organizers' side, 130 volunteers from the ranks of students of general medicine, dentistry, nutritional therapy, embryology and now also students of physiotherapy took part in the awareness-raising event. These volunteers were in charge of individual stations where the participants could check their attitude to a healthy lifestyle and whether they belong to a risk group for diabetes or other civilisation diseases.
The following stations were prepared for the participants of the event:
- Among the most visited stations was the key measurement of blood sugar, the so-called glycaemia. Over 500 visitors had their blood glucose measured over the two days. The measurement of blood glucose and blood pressure was medically supervised thanks to the help of FNUSA Brno.
- At other stations it was possible to have the pressure, weight or percentage of fat in the body measured. All the results could then be consulted with our trained volunteers.
- For the prevention of reproductive health, there was a station for practicing self-examination of breasts and testicles on models and also a station on the prevention of human papillomavirus.
- With the help of a special UV lamp, kindly lent by the Institute of Public Health of the Faculty of Medicine, visitors could check how to consistently perform hand hygiene.
- They could consult with the students of nutritional therapy on how to put together a varied and balanced diet, taking into account their results from the previous stations.
- The embryology students' habitat provided consultations on pregnancy and (in)fertility, which was included after last year's pilot year due to high interest.
- On mannequins, interested participants were able to practice giving first aid and its proper drill, as well as practicing proper oral hygiene.
- The Teddy Bear Hospital is also a standard, helping children get used to healthy habits and get rid of their fear of white coats.
- This year, two new activities have been added: consultations with physiotherapists and education on skin self-examination.
"We were able to organize the whole event thanks to the generous support of our sponsors. We sincerely thank them and appreciate their interest in educating the public in the field of healthy lifestyle and prevention of civilization diseases and at the same time supporting this idea. Without their help, we would not have been able to provide refreshments for the volunteers throughout the event, share the event in the media, or prepare gift packages for the event visitors.This year we were able to include almost 180 gift vouchers to Brno sports and experience centres in the raffle. The event was also supported by a grant from the Rector's Office of Masaryk University, thanks to which we were able to purchase our own epipens. The Faculty of Medicine of Masaryk University not only provided us with help with promotion, materials and transport, but also provided us with faculty merch that we could give to the volunteers and visitors present. We appreciate this support very much and thank you for it," says Dominika Karasová, a 4th year student of General Medicine, on behalf of the organizers.
