Improving health for postpartum women who have had Gestational Diabetes

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is a common complication affecting 9-26% of pregnancies worldwide. GDM doubles the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) (i.e. heart disease) and increases the risk of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) after delivery by up to 10-fold. Non-White ethnicities and lower socioeconomic status further increase the risk of CVD and T2DM. Here we will undertake qualitative research building the evidence base for what barriers and enablers women with previous GDM experience in i) accessing and integrating their health care and ii) engaging in recommended health behaviours. This will be done with three groups of women: a general population, one focused on women of Vietnamese background and one focused on women of Chinese background. The work will inform programs being developed by Diabetes Victoria and Health Services. This work could be undertaken by a number of students and proficiency in Vietnamese, Mandarin or Cantonese would be an advantage but not essential.