EXPERTS are calling for the creation of a diabetes action plan following the release of a report which shows the rate of the disease is likely to double over the next decade.
The Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute report predicts three million Australians will have type2 diabetes by 2025.
Diabetes Australia Victoria (DAV) statistics show the number of people in Maribyrnong with the disease leapt by 146per centin the decade to 2011. More than 3200 people now have the disease.
On average, almost four new cases are diagnosed each week.
DAV chief executive Greg Johnson said state and federal governments needed to spend on strategies to prevent type2 diabetes in high-risk areas like Melbourne’s western suburbs.
“The size of investment is small compared to the size of the problem and we now know one in five people has diabetes, which is staggering,” Mr Johnson said.
“There is so much funding going into cancer, and diabetes is very underestimated. There is a need for serious and structured funding in this area to target those at-risk groups.” Mr Johnson said type2 diabetes could be prevented through intensive lifestyle changes.
Migrants are at a greater risk of getting the disease.
Western Region Health Centre (WRHC) diabetes educator Rachel Gleeson said the change to a western diet was putting many migrants at risk. Anyone with high blood pressure, a family history of diabetes, poor diet and sedentary lifestyles was also at risk.
“Small changes can make all the difference. For others, it’s about understanding what they need to do to control their diabetes.”
WRHC’s new Joslin Clinic in West Footscray cares for people with complex diseases such as diabetes.
Ken Moore, of the Western Suburbs Diabetes Support Group, said: “People need to ask their doctor to give them a test for diabetes. You can control it with diet and exercise. It may take a change in lifestyle but it improves your lifestyle.”
