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Tipperary Roma diabetes health literacy project

Improving understanding of Type 2 Diabetes among the Roma community

HSE. Adult Literacy for Life, HSE Social Inclusion, and Youth Work Ireland Tipperary logos

The project partners were:  

  • Youth Work Ireland Tipperary  

  • Health Service Executive (HSE) 

About this project 

This project aimed to improve understanding, prevention, and management of type 2 diabetes among the Roma community in Tipperary. Project partners developed culturally relevant health literacy resources to make information about the disease more practical and accessible.   

The project took place in Thurles, Templemore, Cashel, and Nenagh between September and October 2025. Outreach programmes, information sessions, and workshops with Roma families informed what topics featured in the videos. 

More about this project

Facilitators collaborated with Diabetes Ireland and Roma health workers to design and produce animated videos. These videos used plain language, clear imagery, and relatable situations to convey important health information.  

Videos covered the following topics: 

  • understanding type 2 diabetes, 

  • recognising symptoms and warning signs, 

  • monitoring blood sugar levels with colour-coded visuals, 

  • medication and management, 

  • healthy eating, 

  • weight management, 

  • living with diabetes, 

  • vaccines, and 

  • healthcare services and entitlements.  

The animated videos were shared widely on social media, Roma community groups on WhatsApp, and health service networks. Educators used these videos during in-person information sessions as well.

Link to resources