Diabetes — Australia’s biggest health problem

Diabetes Australia says diabetes is the epidemic of the 21st century and “the biggest challenge confronting Australia’s health system”.

Some facts about diabetes in Australia:

• More than 300 Australians develop diabetes every day — or one person every five minutes.

• Almost 1.9 million Australians have diabetes. This includes all types of diagnosed diabetes (almost 1.5 million known and registered) as well as silent, undiagnosed type 2 diabetes (up to 500,000 estimated).

• For every person diagnosed with diabetes there is usually a family member or carer who also ‘lives with diabetes’ every day in a support role. This means that an estimated 2.4 million Australians are affected by diabetes every day.

• Total annual cost impact of diabetes in Australia is estimated at $17.6 billion.

• Diabetes is the seventh most common cause of death by disease in Australia.

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians are three times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than non-Indigenous Australians, 4.3 times more likely to be hospitalised with type 2 diabetes and four times as likely to die from it.

• Around 1.3 million people are hospitalised with diabetes-related conditions every year.

Diabetes is the fastest growing chronic condition in Australia, increasing at a faster rate than other chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer.

All types of diabetes are increasing in prevalence:

• Type 1 diabetes accounts for 10 per cent of all diabetes and is increasing;

• Type 2 diabetes accounts for 85 per cent of all diabetes and is increasing; and

• Gestational diabetes in pregnancy is increasing.

Complications associated with diabetes, particularly in those who do not seek treatment, can include blindness, amputation, heart disease and kidney disease.

For more information about diabetes, its impacts and signs and symptoms, go to www.diabetesaustralia.com.au

If you suspect you may have diabetes, please make an appointment to see your local doctor.