Australians vulnerable to sort 2 diabetes now have entry to a free info and referral service serving to to stem the tide of the nation’s sort 2 diabetes epidemic.
Diabetes Australia has launched 1800PREVENT (sort 2 diabetes), a free nationwide hotline and web site that can help people vulnerable to sort 2 diabetes to navigate well being assets.
Two million Australians reside with recognized or undiagnosed diabetes which prices our well being system $9.1 billion {dollars} yearly. With out additional funding in sort 2 diabetes prevention as much as 3.6 million Australians might be residing with diabetes by 2050.
Though genetics play a job within the improvement of sort 2 diabetes, way of life modifications might assist to stop or delay the onset of the situation in as much as 58% of circumstances.
Diabetes Australia Group CEO Justine Cain mentioned 1800PREVENT (sort 2 diabetes) will assist individuals know the place they’ll discover native help.
‘One Australian is recognized with sort 2 diabetes each 8 minutes, however sadly there may be nonetheless a worrying lack of understanding about how severe it’s and the place to seek out info to help prevention,’ Ms Cain mentioned.
‘1800PREVENT (sort 2 diabetes) is designed to chop by means of the noise and provides each Australian vulnerable to sort 2 diabetes entry to info and free native providers of their state or territory.
‘This free info and referral service is a part of Diabetes Australia’s dedication to cut back charges of sort 2 diabetes and its impression on people and the well being system,’ she mentioned.
Callers to 1800PREVENT (sort 2 diabetes) will converse with a Diabetes Australia employees member who will help them in navigating well being info providers. Workers shall be encouraging callers to talk to their GP for additional recommendation, and the place applicable, callers can even be given details about current government-funded packages delivered by revered well being organisations.
North Queensland Normal Practitioner Dr Konrad Kangru mentioned initiatives that assist to stop sort 2 diabetes are vitally essential.
‘Preventive well being is a important a part of common observe. Having a telephone line and web site that well being professionals can present to their sufferers is a helpful strategy to help them to navigate the providers which are accessible,’ Dr Kangru mentioned.
‘Medical doctors work laborious to assist individuals take steps to keep away from sort 2 diabetes the place potential as a result of it comes with severe and expensive problems like an elevated danger of coronary heart assault and stroke.
‘1800PREVENT (sort 2 diabetes) will help that work,’ he mentioned.
Brisbane girl Andrea Stevens mentioned 1800PREVENT (sort 2 diabetes) shall be a lifeline for individuals like her who’re vulnerable to growing sort 2 diabetes.
‘There may be a variety of info on the market however it isn’t all the time straightforward to seek out and typically it’s laborious to know whether it is good recommendation or not,’ Ms Stevens mentioned.
‘Having a quantity that you could simply name up and converse to somebody at Diabetes Australia is an actual gamechanger.
‘I urge anybody who could also be vulnerable to sort 2 diabetes, or in the event that they know somebody who may be, to name 1800PREVENT (sort 2 diabetes).
‘Just some small modifications to your way of life and eating regimen could make an enormous distinction, that definitely was the case for me,’ she mentioned.
Diabetes Australia Chief Medical Officer, Professor David Simmons mentioned 1800PREVENT (sort 2 diabetes) shouldn’t be a scientific service and doesn’t present scientific recommendation.
‘The service is firmly grounded in peer-reviewed, best-practice. Our name centre employees are nicely skilled and skilled in supporting callers in navigating well being info providers. All associated web-based content material and way of life modification assets have been developed and peer-reviewed by skilled allied well being professionals, together with Credentialled Diabetes Educators, guaranteeing scientific accuracy and soundness,’ Professor Simmons mentioned.
1800PREVENT (sort 2 diabetes) operates between 8.30am and 5.00pm (native time), Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) on 1800 773 8368. The 1800PREVENT (sort 2 diabetes) web site offers 24/7 entry to sort 2 diabetes prevention assets and instruments.
Diabetes Australia delivers a spread of different prevention packages and providers such because the NSW Get Wholesome Service, Queensland’s My well being for all times and The COACH Program in Tasmania.
About Diabetes Australia
Diabetes Australia is the nationwide organisation supporting all individuals residing with or vulnerable to diabetes. We put individuals first. We work in collaboration with member organisations, shoppers, well being professionals, state-based organisations, researchers and the neighborhood.
For extra info go to: www.diabetesaustralia.com.au
