Nutrition in Diabetes: A Campaign for Better Health

Locations: Community Healthcare Center – Nablus

Timeline: April, 2025

Target population: Healthcare workers (medical doctors and nurses) and patients diagnosed with diabetes type II.

Field: Nutrition; non-communicable diseases

Diabetes is one of the most pressing public health challenges in Palestine, affecting between 7% and 10% of the population. Obesity, as a risk factor of diabetes, has risen during the past decades, with prevalence rates approximating 40% among women and 20% among men aged 30 to 55. With these increasing rates, type 2 diabetes has become the fourth leading cause of death, accounting for 8.9% of total deaths in 2014. In addition to proper medical management, diet remains a cornerstone of both prevention and control. However, Palestine has witnessed a growing shift towards unhealthy dietary habits and adoption of globalized food choices, with increased consumption of fast food and processed meals, leading to higher risks of complications, including nephropathy and retinopathy.

In response to this rising burden, An-Najah Global Health Institute will launch Nutrition in Diabetes campaign in April 2025. This initiative targets both healthcare workers in primary healthcare and patients diagnosed with diabetes. It is designed to empower diabetes patients and support healthcare providers in delivering evidence-based nutritional guidance to their patients, especially that traditional medical education overlooks nutrition in disease management.

The campaign will simultaneously provide interactive workshops and discussions to both patients and healthcare workers in primary healthcare centers in Nablus city, targeting more than 40 doctors, 50 nurses, and 100 patients. The campaign will equip patients with the knowledge they need to make informed dietary choices and improve their quality of life, providing them with practical, easy-to-follow nutritional guidance that fits their lifestyle.

Another series of lectures will be tailored to healthcare professionals, including doctors and nurses, offering them up-to-date evidence-based dietary strategies to guide their daily practice and deliver a competent consultation for patients. Each session will encourage open dialogue, allowing participants to ask questions and engage in discussions.

In addition, the campaign will also provide clear, patient-tailored educational materials in a simple and accessible format, helping patients understand what to eat, what to avoid, and how to maintain a balanced diet that supports their health. The campaign is underpinned by an approach where sustainable changes are more important rather than restrictive diets, fostering a culture of healthy eating within Palestinian society.