1. Ethnic minorities and heart health – The role and responsibility of NGOs By Kristine Skaar Aune

2. Norwegian Health Association Our aim is to prevent cardiovascular disease and dementia in the population, by focusing on: Prevention Information Research What is good for your heart is good for your brain!

3. In Norway 35% of all deaths are related to cardiovascular decease. Cardiovascular disease is the main cause of death for those under 70 years of age. More than 400 000 people live with a cardiovascular disease.

4. The population from the Sub - Indian continent are an especially vulnerable group 70% of all immigrants from South-Asia are obese (Kumar et al, 2003). Pakistan- Norwegian weigh more and have a higher cholesterol level than Pakistan people living in Pakistan (Zahid, 2008) 40 % of Pakistan- Norwegian women weigh too much, often with central obesity (FHI, 2005).

5. –Pakistan- Norwegian background: 28-31%, 1 of 4! –Ethnic Norwegian: 3% –Pakistan women in Pakistan: 7% (Zahid, 2008). –4 out of 5 women from South- Asia living in Norway get diabetes during pregnancy. Women and diabetes:

6. Prevention is important because we know that: Diabetes is related to inactivity and obesity. Diabetes more than doubles the risk for cardiovascular disease. Migration seems to be a risk factor on its own. And the people at risk know and want information. But we also know that information works best if it is related to the situation the individual or group live in.

7. In our project we found: Key persons in immigrant groups have a big social network. But these persons are often already engaged with their time and mind tied up. You have to be clear on what you have to offer and what you expect in return. Ethnic minorities often experience prevention strategies as something that is being done to them, not as a cooperation project. The similarities over go the differences between women. A lot of information is based on experience. But experience is seldom shared between experts, groups and organisations

8. Therefore: It is smart to use established meeting places. Invite yourself to have a lecture or as a co- organiser to a meeting. Ask if you have a question.

9. We also found: Cooperation with immigrant organisations is a success. National and local authorities and organisations, hospitals and religious meeting places are important sources to information. Information and involvement must be the focus, over integration if you want to prevent cardiovascular disease or other illnesses.

10. Cardiovascular disease and dementia strike ethnic minorities to the same extent as the population as a whole. For some groups it strikes harder. The National Health Association works towards the population as a whole, and se the ethnic minority population as a part of this whole. If we should treat this part of the population as a special group it should be because: It is a particularly vulnerable group We need more information about some special groups There are some adjustments needed to give this group equal information.

11. Then my questions to you are: What do you think is the role and responsibility of NGOs concerning to the minority population and their cardiovascular health? Have you tried and evaluated different ways to communicate information to multi-ethnic groups? And if so, what works best? (Brochures, campaigns, commercials etc) Have you succeeded in recruiting people from different organisations? How? Are you satisfied with your own work at this area? If not, what do you wish to do?