Diabetes Australia report calls for action on diabetes prevention
The diabetes epidemic has reached a crisis point in Australia – this is the key message in a report released by Diabetes Australia today.
The 2024 State of the Nation report shows alarming increases in type 2 diabetes diagnosis in younger people.
The report includes 25 recommendations for diabetes prevention, treatment, support for vulnerable communities, and investment in research.
Diabetes Australia recommends a national type 2 prevention program, an initiative Diabetes Victoria has successfully achieved statewide with the Life! program.
Life! is the largest prevention program of its kind in Australia, helping eligible Victorians to reduce their risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke.
The free program is funded by the Victorian Government.
Since 2007, over 75,000 Victorians have learnt more about the steps they can take to improve their health by participating in the Life! program.
“The Victorian Government recently committed to funding the Life! program for three more years through to 2027,” Diabetes Victoria CEO Glen Noonan says.
“We know there is a continuing need and interest from the Victorian community in reducing their risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.”
The report also recommends the introduction of a Medicare funded gestational diabetes management plan. This would provide subsidised access to allied health professionals including Credentialled Diabetes Educators and Accredited Practicing Dietitians.
“With one in six pregnancies affected by gestational diabetes, it is important that women have the pregnancy care they need.
This would complement the support that we provide after pregnancy through the Life! program for women with a history of gestational diabetes.”
The report recommends culturally appropriate prevention programs and workforce training.
Diabetes Victoria delivers the Life! program for culturally and linguistically diverse communities. Bilingual facilitators have been trained to deliver the program in Chinese, Vietnamese and Arabic.
All program resources have been translated and adapted to be culturally appropriate for members of these communities.
The report also calls for a national type 2 diabetes prevention phone line.
Diabetes Victoria has seen the ‘13 RISK’ type 2 diabetes prevention phone line being very successful in supporting the delivery of the Life! program, and would welcome the opportunity to expand this to support people at risk of type 2 diabetes across Australia.
Media enquiries:
Britt Denton | bdenton@diabetesvic.org.au | 0488 133 316
