Know Your Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
The 2007 Diabetes Awareness Week campaign took the theme of 'Know your risk of type 2 diabetes'.
The campaign, from 8-14 July, came as the number of people being diagnosed with diabetes in Australia continues to spiral upwards, with no real sign that the epidemic is slowing.
Latest figures in the first publication of the Diabetes in New South Wales Atlas, released to mark Diabetes Awareness Week, shows that diabetes numbers have risen by 70 per cent in the past five years.
About 1.5 million Australians have diabetes and Australian Diabetes Council warns that if nothing is done, the number of people living with the disease will reach four million by 2012.
In New South Wales alone, 530,000 people have diabetes but if the current rate continues, the number will reach 1.5 million people in the next five years.
The Diabetes in NSW Atlas provides a graphic picture of diabetes prevalence and where diabetes numbers are highest.
New South Wales country areas, such as Bourke, Dubbo and Broken Hill have the highest rates, ranging from 10 per cent to 35 per cent.
The greatest concentrations in Sydney are in the west and south western areas, such as Fairfield, Blacktown, Holroyd and Canterbury, where diabetes rates are around six per cent.
The Diabetes in NSW Atlas can be used to implement action plans to help stem the rising tide of diabetes and also deal with the increasing rates of gestational diabetes.
It will assist health authorities with appropriate resource planning and provide the general community with a greater awareness of the diabetes epidemic.
The figures are most likely to under estimate the seriousness of the picture, because they are based on people already diagnosed and studies show that for every person who has type 2 diabetes, another has the disease but does not know it.
“The latest figures are frightening because they show that we have not made a dent in the diabetes epidemic, despite an increased awareness that type 2 diabetes can be prevented,” said Dr Neville Howard, President of Australian Diabetes Council.
Dr Howard says the problem has been growing steadily for the past 20 years and the harsh reality is that it could take another 20 years to reverse the trend.
Type 2 diabetes risk reduction book
Australian Diabetes Council has produced a new book to help people at risk make the changes.
The first chapter of the type 2 diabetes risk reduction book provides easy to understand information about diabetes, the risk factors, how to make lifestyle changes, advice on physical activity and staying motivated.
The second chapter has been written for people with diabetes. It tells about the risk of complications to eye, feet, kidneys and nerves and how to reduce the risk.
It also contains information about healthy eating and exercise for people with diabetes.
The type 2 diabetes risk reduction book is available for $5.95 plus $2 postage and handling. Australian Diabetes Council members receive a 10 per cent discount.
Take the risk test
Because the best answer is prevention, Australian Diabetes Council is urging people to find out their risks of developing type 2 diabetes.
Risk factors include age, a family history of diabetes, overweight and lack of physical activity.
International studies have shown that type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed by making lifestyle changes.
Diabetes animation
Diabetes is a complex, multi-system disease but view our animation to get a basic understanding of how our bodies turn carbohydrate into glucose to provide us with energy.
 |
Click here to see how diabetes works. |
One of Australia’s top chefs, author Peter Howard has joined the 2007 Diabetes Awareness Week campaign.
Peter features in a television community service announcement urging people to get to know their risk factors.
Since being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes more than two years ago, Peter has made healthy living a key goal in his life and has produced a range of new recipe books, not just for people with diabetes but for every Australian.
But Peter Howard isn’t the only person, who has turned his life around.
Roger Priest - got the message
One man whose livelihood was threatened when he discovered he had type 2 diabetes was Roger Priest, a pilot with the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service in Newcastle.
Roger of Rathmines was grounded after being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2005.
But he made lifestyle changes and now the pilot with 28 years flying experience is back in the air making life-saving missions only because he took control of his diabetes and didn’t let it control his life.
“When I was first diagnosed I thought it was the end of the world and my flying career,” Roger says.
“But when I read more about the disease and talked to a diabetes educator, I realised it can be prevented with healthy eating and regular exercise.
“I’m now riding 150km each week, doing weights and eating better. It’s really crazy, my medical exams say I am now much fitter and healthier than I was 10 years ago.
“I wished I knew then what I know now. I could have prevented type 2 diabetes.”
This is the message he now spreads to others. Eat healthily, don’t gain weight and have regular health checks.
For GPs
As part of the campaign, Australian Diabetes Council has also reprinted a desktop reference card giving the diagnostic guidelines on the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes for General Practice.
A print version can be downloaded from this website.
An interactive version is also available.
While diabetes numbers are increasing at about 11 per cent a year, prevalence rates of type 1 diabetes are increasing at about three per cent a year.