The research topics that matter most to Australians affected by diabetes

While researchers and funding bodies typically decide on diabetes research topics, in this study Australians affected by all types of diabetes were asked what research they believe is most important to improve their health and quality of life.

“Diabetes is a complex and relentless condition that requires 24/7 management and significantly impacts health and wellbeing,” says Dr Elizabeth Holmes-Truscott, Deputy Director and Senior Research Fellow at the ACBRD.

“Funding research to find a cure for all types of diabetes is critical, but research is also needed to identify how to best support the day-to-day health and wellbeing of Australians living with the condition.

“People with diabetes and their family members have clear views about the research that matters to them.”

More than 650 people with type 1, type 2, gestational and less common types of diabetes and family members participated in this comprehensive national project.

Participants put forward more than 1500 responses, research questions, or topics. These were collated to inform a long list of 125 research questions, across 25 common themes.

Follow up surveys revealed which of these research priorities are most important to the diabetes community.

Top research priorities for the diabetes community:

• How can diabetes technologies be improved to make diabetes management easier, more effective, more accessible, better integrated with other devices, more environmentally friendly?
  (#1 research priority for people with type 1 diabetes and the family members of people with diabetes)
• How can insulin resistance be reversed and the body’s normal response to glucose be restored?
  (#1 research priority for people with type 2 diabetes)
• What are the short-term and long-term impacts of gestational diabetes on the baby/child? (#1 research priority for people with gestational diabetes)
• What is the link between diabetes and other health conditions (i.e., other autoimmune disorders, PCOS)?
  (#1 research priority for people with less common types of diabetes)
• What are the causes or triggers of diabetes?
  (Top #5 research priority for people with diabetes of all types and family members)

“Ultimately, it is people with diabetes who are most affected by diabetes research outcomes, and we hope the insights from Diabetes Research Matters will influence future research priorities in Australia,” Dr Holmes-Truscott says.

Read more key insights from Diabetes Research Matters at www.diabetesresearchmatters.com

The Australian Centre for Behavioural Research in Diabetes is a partnership for better health between Diabetes Victoria and Deakin University. For more information, visit: www.acbrd.org.au

Diabetes Research Matters was funded by a general grant awarded by the Diabetes Australia Research Program.