Diabetes Fact Sheet

			What is Diabetes? (1.02MB)
			This two page fact sheet, written by the Australian Diabetes Council, provides an overview of diabetes and includes sections on: What is diabetes? The types of diabetes How is diabetes managed?

Diabetes - Our Community at Risk

Diabetes is one of Australia's fastest growing chronic diseases. Most people will have a friend, relative or colleague with diabetes. Data from the National Diabetes Scheme has demonstrated that there has been over 1.1 million diagnosed cases within Australia, though it is known that for approximately everyone who has been diagnosed, another person has diabetes that is undiagnosed.

Numerous research studies have demonstrated the benefit of intensive blood glucose management in preventing either the onset or development of complications. People with undiagnosed diabetes are more likely to have complications from their diabetes at an earlier age. This then raises the question of finding those who are undiagnosed with type 2 diabetes. How should we be screening for those undiagnosed cases? Identifying those at risk is the goal, then encouraging them to see their doctor for a fasting venous glucose for a definite diagnosis. Random blood glucose testing (a finger prick test with a hand held meter), is done in some communities, however they are not to be considered diagnostic for diabetes.

Several years ago the Australian Diabetes Educators Association (ADEA) released a recommendation to discontinue public random glucose testing. Some of the reasons for this recommendation were: random blood glucose screening is not diagnostic, too many variables can influence the outcome of public testing, risks are associated with invasive techniques such as transmission of blood-borne viruses, including HIV, and Hepatitis B & C, for both staff and public and others.

			Australian Diabetes Risk Assessment Tick Test (1.33MB)
			It is now recommended that priority be given to identify individuals at high risk of diabetes through the use of this Risk Assessment Tick Test.