Populations at highest risk
Over the last 20 years, diabetes prevalence particularly type 2 diabetes has increased.
South Australia is leading the nation with the highest prevalence of type 2 diabetes (around 89% in SA vs 87% nationally). Further, it is estimated that around 16% of Australian adults aged 25 years or older are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes within five to 10 years; many who may already be living with undiagnosed prediabetes.
Men are 1.3 times more likely to be living with type 2 diabetes than females.
People living in remote communities tend to have greater rates of type 2 diabetes than those in Adelaide.
Not surprisingly, people living in areas of greatest socioeconomic disadvantage have two times higher rates of type 2 diabetes than people living in the least disadvantaged areas.
People from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds are also disproportionately affected by type 2 diabetes; prevalence rates are higher compared to the Australian-born population, particularly for people originating from the Pacific Islands (up to 17%), Middle East (up to 14%), South Asia (up to 11%) and Africa (up to 9%).
Why the prevalence of type 2 diabetes is so high is complex but a few of the main factors attributing to the development of the condition include:
- limited or no awareness and/or knowledge of the risk factors that contribute to the development of the condition
- many people reportedly delay seeing a doctor for a variety of reasons including cost, time, lack of doctors in their area, perceiving their health as being ok, fear of being diagnosed, cultural reasons, or have experienced stigma and/or distrust with the healthcare systems.
- it is underappreciated that by assessing one’s risk for developing the condition, up to 58% of cases could be prevented or at least delayed by making some lifestyle changes; particularly increasing physical activity, eating well and maintaining a healthy weight.
