Diabetes Facts

Diabetes Facts

• Diabetes is Australia’s fastest-growing chronic disease
• It is the seventh highest cause of death in Australia
• People with diabetes are almost three times more likely to have high blood pressure, obesity or elevated blood fats eg cholesterol
• They are two to three times more likely to have cardio-vascular disease, eg heart disease and stroke
• 65%-80% of people with diabetes will die of coronary heart disease
• 15% of people with diabetes have heart disease compared to 2.5% without diabetes
• Diabetes the leading cause of kidney failure
• Renal disease accounts for 8% - 14% of deaths in people with diabetes
• 5% of people with diabetes will experience foot ulcers
• Of the 3000 amputations in people with diabetes, most are preventable
• Visual problems are common in people with diabetes
• Diabetes is the most common cause of blindness for people under 60
• Australia’s indigenous population suffers the fourth highest rate of type 2 diabetes in the world
• 275 people are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes every day
• An average of 55,000 people are diagnosed every year
• More than 3 million Australians have diabetes or prediabetes
• By 2010, Diabetes Australia expects the number to reach 1.7 million
• Type 2 diabetes, usually found in middle age, is increasingly being diagnosed in children.
  

Costs

• Total diabetes health bill is $1.2 billion a year
• In two years it is expected to be $2 billion
• 4% of people who have diabetes account for 12% of health costs.
  

High risk categories for developing type 2 diabetes

• Over 45 years of age and have high blood pressure
• Over 45 years of age and overweight
• Over 45 years of age and one of more members of the family has/had diabetes
• Over 55 years of age
• Have heart disease or have had a heart attack
• Have/had high blood sugar levels during pregnancy (gestational diabetes)
• Have recorded a borderline blood glucose level
• Have polycystic ovary syndrome and overweight
• Over 35 years of age and are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
• Over 35 years of age and from Pacific Islands, Indian subcontinent or Chinese Cultural background.