Australia’s health system is once again at risk of being overwhelmed – but it’s not COVID causing consternation this time.
A report from Diabetes Australia (DA) has revealed a huge increase in the number of diabetes cases requiring hospitalisation in Australia and the costs associated with treating the condition.
DA released the Change the Future: Reducing the impact of the diabetes epidemic report to coincide with World Diabetes Day.
The report highlights some astronomical increases to healthcare costs for diabetes patients over the past two decades. The cost of diabetes-related direct healthcare rose 289 per cent, medicines have risen 282 per cent and hospitalisations have increased 149 per cent since 2004.
Read: Nine superfoods to help manage diabetes
The report found there had been a 220 per cent increase in diabetes case numbers since 2000.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), an estimated 1.2 million Australians are living with diabetes and the prevalence of the condition increases with age.
Around one in five Australians aged 80 to 85 is living with diabetes, which is almost 30 times the rate of those aged under 40 with the condition.
Looking to the future, DA warns that the number of people living with diabetes could climb to more than 3.1 million by 2050, resulting in 2.5 million hospitalisations per year and costing Australia around $45 billion per annum.
Read: Scientists demonstrate promising new diabetes treatment
International Diabetes Federation (IDF) vice-president Professor Stephen Colagiuri says the report painted a gloomy picture of the Australian diabetes epidemic over the past 20 years.
It shows “no sign of slowing and its health and economic impact continues to be felt by people with diabetes, their families and the broader community”, he says.
“However, it doesn’t have to be this way. Australia has an excellent foundation for limiting the impact of diabetes including universal health coverage.”
Justine Cain, CEO of DA, says the report identified a number of areas of concern that will require government intervention to fix, including the increase in younger Australians being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, the impact of diabetes on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, rising numbers of mothers being diagnosed with gestational diabetes and the emergence of a number of recently identified complications.
Read: Do these four things now to avoid type 2 diabetes
“More than a million Australians have been diagnosed in the past decade, along with 500,000 people currently living with silent, undiagnosed diabetes, and all of these people are at risk of developing diabetes-related complications in the future,” she says.
“The diabetes epidemic is one of the most significant health challenges Australia has ever faced and it calls for unified and sustained action.
“That’s why we are asking Australia’s political leaders, the health sector, the business community and everyday Australians to join us in changing the trajectory of this epidemic to create a healthier future,” she says.
The government has made some moves to tackle the cost burden of diabetes, with health and aged care minister Mark Butler announcing that his government will subsidise access to the Omnipod insulin pump, a crucial piece of technology for those living with type 1 diabetes.
The Omnipod DASH Insulin Management system uses a waterproof adhesive pod to deliver insulin to the patient, alongside a touchscreen device to program and control the pod. The pods are disposable and replaced every three days.
Under the government’s subsidy plan, the Omnipod will cost users a maximum of just $29.30 per month, or $22.20 for concession card holders.
“The Albanese government is continuing to make life changing technology accessible for Australians living with type 1 diabetes,” Mr Butler said in a news release.
“Subsidising this next generation technology means freedom of choice for Australians with type 1 diabetes, as well as the freedom from wires and tubes.”
Do you suffer from diabetes? How have you managed the costs? Let us know in the comments section below.
I am not surprised. Nobody is doing anything about the mailbox advertising by Woolworths, Coles, IGA and Aldi. In every catalogue the first four pages are specials for soft drinks, chocolates, potatoe crisps and every manner of goodies that cause diabetes or make it worse. I have diabetes type 2 and I kknow what I should not eat, or at least keep to a minimum. It is no good slamming this issue without slowing down the cause.
The misconception is that sugar causes diabetes. It doesn’t! It may cause other things such as tooth cavities, overweight and obesity sugar does not itself cause diabetes. Diet plays a great role in managing diabetes (type 11) and that means controlling insulin levels. Limiting simple carbohydrates such as sugar or other easily metabolised foods such as white bread with a high GI index score goes a long way to controlling insulin levels. But then so does exercise!
Sugar does not cause diabetes! That is repeated misinformation. It is far more complex than simple sugar = diabetes.