On World Diabetes Day on 15 November, representatives gathered in Canberra to discuss diabetes in the ACT, highlighting some concerns about the condition in the Canberra region.
Australiaโs fastest growing health condition, diabetes is a chronic condition that affects the way the body processes glucose.
Director General ACT at Diabetes NSW, Ian Peters, says rates of diabetes are on the increase in the ACT, particularly type 2 and gestational diabetes.
โWe have a real issue with type 2 โ its diagnosis and registration โ and we have a big issue with gestational,โ Mr Peters says. โNobody knows about diabetes.โ
He says Diabetes ACT estimates there are around 5,000 people in the ACT that havenโt been diagnosed.
โMy big focus and the Ministerโs [Minister for Health and Wellbeing Meegan Fitzharris] big focus is that we have to test more โฆ because if you donโt find out that you have diabetes, the sugar that freewheels around the body actually causes a great deal of damage.
โIf you have it, thereโs nothing to be scared of, because thereโs plenty of things we can do, including changing your lifestyle a bit. Youโre better off knowing than not knowing.โ
At a cost of $18 billion a year in Australia, Mr Peters says diabetes requires more education and support. Three amputations are performed in NSW and the ACT per day from diabetes-related complications.
He says people with diabetes arenโt getting adequate support, with only 53% of people diagnosed registering on the National Diabetes Scheme which provides a โbroad platform of educationโ.
โLocally โฆ we do around 150 workshops a year to help people with diabetes with feet care, carbohydrates, tailored exercise programs, insulin and pumps,โ he says.
โWe can teach you how to read food labels โฆ Itโs really important to understand how to shop.
โIf youโre not part of the national scheme, you donโt get any of this because we donโt see you.
โWe teach people how to live a better life with diabetes,โ Mr Peters says.
โPeople need to see a whole network, they need to know what the issues are.โ
For more information about diabetes support in the ACT, visit diabetesnsw.com.au
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