PhD candidate, Sumaira Khan, is researching the lived experiences of South Asian migrant women living with diabetes.
“South Asian communities experience high rates of diabetes, yet cultural gaps can make it difficult for migrant groups to access and navigate appropriate care,” she says.
“My research explores how South Asian migrant women in Australia manage diabetes through self-care practices, with the aim of improving culturally responsive support for this vulnerable group.”
Sumaira’s study found that diabetes is often deeply intertwined with the emotional and social challenges of migration.
“For many of these women, managing diabetes is not simply a medical issue. It is connected to the emotional, social and cultural realities of building a life in a new country,” Sumaira says.
Sumaira says the findings have implications for policymakers and clinicians working with migrant communities.
“By centring the lived experiences of South Asian women, the study provides a new perspective on how migration, social inequality and relationships can shape health and wellbeing.”
Her next step is to explore other aspects of gender and migration, and how these experiences may influence self-care practices.
