Diabetes Awareness Week 2011

Diabetes Awareness Week is a national week aimed at raising awareness of diabetes. This year we will focus on the prevention of diabetes and its complications with a specific spotlight on eye health and the prevention of vision loss. You may not have realised that diabetes can have a very serious impact on eye health.

Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to diabetic retinopathy and even blindness. The good news is that over 98% of severe vision loss can be prevented in people with diabetes with optimal management and treatment.


For Diabetes Awareness Week 2011 we are taking to the streets to highlight the link between diabetes and the eyes and to spread the word about prevention. We will launch Diabetes Awareness Week on Monday, 11th July in Martin Place in Sydney’s CBD.


For the whole week we will be taking our staff to various locations throughout Sydney. Our Accredited Practising Dietitians, Accredited Exercise Physiologists and Credentialled Diabetes Educators will be available for you to ask questions about diabetes and to offer tips on diabetes prevention. You’ll also be able to find out how to become a member of Australian Diabetes Council – if you aren’t already.


To support those in regional NSW, we are holding events in Wagga Wagga, Wollongong, Tamworth and Newcastle. Come and speak to Australian Diabetes Council health professionals about ways to live a healthy lifestyle and better manage your diabetes.


And finally, we have produced a ‘Diabetes and Eye Health’ booklet as part of the week. This resource includes information on types of eye disease associated with diabetes and how you can avoid these complications. For a FREE copy, ask your GP, NDSS pharmacist or local diabetes centre during Diabetes Awareness Week. Or come and see us at one of our events.

Download our Diabetes and Eye Health booklet here.

For Events happening during Diabetes Awareness Week, click here