University aims to demystify diabetes with online course

According to Diabetes Australia 100,000 Australians have developed diabetes in the past year, so Curtin University's new MOOC Life with Diabetes will be useful in educating those with diabetes as well as carers and family members.

The MOOC has five modules which will teach participants about the various forms of diabetes as well as the different treatment methods.

The convener, Curtin University School of Public Health lecturer Patricia Marshall, said: “We know that living with diabetes can be tiring and frustrating for both the person affected and the whole family, with statistics showing diabetics are twice as likely to develop depression compared to those without diabetes."

“The Life with Diabetes MOOC covers a range of topics including recommended food choices and eating habits, the benefits of physical activity and how to manage stress.

“Participating in these types of online learning courses is a great alternative for anyone around the world to learn important information about diabetes.”

The MOOC will start on 4 September and runs for five weeks. Enrolments are now open: www.edx.org/course/life-diabetes-curtinx-diab1x#!