Blacktown residents are being invited to head to Westpoint Blacktown from July 2-5 to find out if they have diabetes.
In the lead up to National Diabetes Week 2025 (July 13-19), Western Sydney Diabetes (WSD) is partnering with Westpoint Blacktown to run the Wellness Expo.
As part of the Wellness Expo, the WSD team will be offering shoppers a HbA1c test which will reveal the average blood sugar levels over the past three months and can tell people if they’re at risk, or already living, with Type 2 diabetes.
It only takes 3 minutes, with no fasting no preparation needed.
WSD is encouraging adults to get a blood test if they:
- Have a family history of diabetes;
- Have an inactive lifestyle;
- Are overweight or obese;
- Had diabetes during a pregnancy; or
- Have a Pacific Island, Indian subcontinent, African, Asian, South Asian, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Island background.
Westpoint Marketing Manager, Stephanie Fussell said the Expo, which will run from 10am to 5pm, is crucial for the Blacktown community, where the risk of diabetes is significantly higher compared to other regions.
“With a diverse population, including many from high-risk groups, it’s essential to provide accessible health resources and support,” Ms Fussell said.
“Our Westpoint retailers are also excited to participate, offering mini consultations, product demonstrations, and health advice. This initiative not only promotes health and wellness but also strengthens the bond within our multicultural community,” Stephanie said.
Shoppers will also be encouraged to sign up the 2kg Challenge, a diabetes awareness, detection and prevention initiative launched by WSD and its partners, Workers Lifestyle Group and Novo Nordisk.
WSD Diabetes Prevention Manager Sarah Driscoll said by taking part in the 2kg Challenge, Western Sydney residents will have access to exclusive health events and educational resources to help them lose 2kg.
“The 2kg Challenge encourages people above a healthy weight and at risk of or living with pre-diabetes to improve their health through small, manageable lifestyle changes to reduce their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by up to 30 per cent,” Ms Driscoll said.
Western Sydney Diabetes Director, Professor Glen Maberly said small, consistent lifestyle changes can help prevent diabetes.
“You don’t need to overhaul your life all at once, every bit of exercise and every healthy choice counts, that’s why the 2kg Challenge is about more than weight loss, it is about embracing lifestyle changes that we can sustain every day,” Prof Maberly said.
“Diabetes can often be prevented if you act early, through increasing your physical activity, eating a healthy diet and losing weight,” Glen said.
“However, if you do develop diabetes you need to make sure you are getting regular blood tests and working with your GP to ensure you are using the appropriate medications and keeping your blood sugars under control,” Glen said.
During NDW on Wednesday, July 16, WSD will be running diabetes detection for Western Sydney Local Health District’s Integrated and Community Health staff at Blacktown Hospital from 2pm-4pm.
They will also be encouraged to sign up to the 2kg Challenge.
Last year, the Western Sydney Primary Health Network, WentWest, launched the 2kg Challenge campaign across its general practices in the Blacktown area.
Almost 110 western Sydney general practices have signed up and this will be expanded during NDW.
As part of the challenge, the community can access free health coaching to support their health goals through NSW Health’s Get Healthy Service– an evidence-based, free, telephone and online health coaching service that helps people make healthy lifestyle changes.
In addition, on July 10, Prof Maberly will join Prof Ted Wu, Head of Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Diabetes Centre to discuss The risk of developing diabetes: Early detection is critical – if diagnosed, take action now!.
The event will spotlight recent research and discuss the ongoing challenges of prediabetes, diabetes, and obesity in the healthcare system.
Workers Blacktown Club patrons can also access free self-service health checks using SiSU health stations which are permanently located at the Club.
WSD is a collaborative initiative led by the WSLHD and WSPHN, in partnership with Diabetes Australia and the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment.
To register for the 2kg Challenge, visit 2kgchallenge.com.au
For more information on National Diabetes Week 2025, visit diabetesaustralia.com.au/national-diabetes-week/. For registration and more information: https://events.humanitix.com/diabetes-update-prediabetes-call-to-action