Media Release: Saturday November 14 is World Diabetes Day

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Media Release

More than 50% of South Australians living with diabetes are missing out on free support to manage this serious condition.

Saturday November 14 is World Diabetes Day. 

Diabetes SA is urging anyone who has been told by their GP they have diabetes (of any form), to check if they have been registered with the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) to gain access to free health programs in SA.  

Over 200,000 South Australians are living with diabetes1,3 and another 1 in 4 South Australians over 25 are unaware they are living with pre-diabetes or diabetes. 

“Early action on diabetes through identifying those risks and acting promptly, can prevent or delay complications and save lives” said Endocrinologist Dr Anthony Zimmermann. 

Diabetes is Australia’s fastest growing chronic condition and can have serious consequences including loss of sight, hearing, damage to the small blood vessels resulting in wounds that don’t heal, amputations and kidney failure. Diabetes contributes to 11% of all deaths each year2. Yet often there are no early physical signs, which means being aware of your risk and family history is important. 

Under the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS), Diabetes SA delivers online and free face-to-face programs, with full day and half day sessions, exercise classes and targeted multicultural community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sessions to support self-managing diabetes. In 2025 Diabetes SA delivered programs across 50 locations, including 40% outside of metropolitan areas, as well as delivering weekend and after-hours sessions. 

Yet it is estimated that at least 35% of South Australians living with diabetes are not registered with the NDSS3 and as such cannot access these free programs. The process isn’t automatic, a person must opt-in and register with the help of their doctor, diabetes educator, practice nurse or pharmacist or by calling Diabetes SA. Even when registered, many people are not aware that they can access these free supports, which is so important in the current cost-of-living crisis. 

To mark World Diabetes Day, Diabetes SA is hosting free public diabetes screenings, health advice and information sessions at the Adelaide Aquatic Centre, with the Minister for Education, Training and Skills, Hon Ms Lucy Hood attending at 1pm and available for media comment. SA Health will also be commencing promotion of free NDSS programs through its social media channels, GP communications and pharmacist networks, helping to increase awareness, access and engagement of these valuable programs.

“Registering with the NDSS is free, and it opens the door to education sessions, exercise classes and online courses that are already paid for” Ms Hughes said. 

“With so many families under cost-of-living pressure, we want every South Australian living with diabetes to know what they’re entitled to and to know when we will be visiting near their community, right across SA.” 

“Taking action today by registering, checking your risk, or talking to your GP, is how we prevent the complications that put people in hospital tomorrow.” 

1 in 9 admissions to hospital in Australia are associated to diabetes4.  

This increases as people age. That is also why Diabetes SA has been advocating with the Commonwealth strongly for a return of targeted programs for older Australians, including face-to-face sessions to help carers support the nearly 30,000 persons living with diabetes in aged care. NDSS funding could help people stay at home longer rather than adding pressure to the hospital and aged care system through reenabling access to continuous glucose monitors for those living with insulin dependent diabetes under the Home Support Program (removed in November 2025), and subsidising Automated Insulin Devices, a lifesaving intervention for those living with type 1 diabetes. 

Diabetes SA encourages anyone concerned about their risk to speak with their health professional, call Diabetes SA to speak to one of our health professionals or if unsure if you are at risk, complete the free risk calculator at diabetessa.com.au. 

For those unable to attend World Diabetes Day events, Diabetes SA will be offering free risk assessments at the 2027 Santos Tour Down Under. Diabetes SA will be hosting activations at Henley Beach (19 January), Angaston (20 January), Victor Harbour (22 January), Willunga Hill (23 January) and Stirling (24 January). 

Take action today, for a healthier tomorrow:

  • Register with the NDSS: ndss.com.au 
  • World Diabetes Day at the Adelaide Aquatic Centre: Saturday 14 November, 12-4pm Free public screening, advice and information sessions including free Dietitian talks at 1-1:30, and 2:30-3:00 and Exercise Physiologist presentation 1:30-2:00 and 3-3:30. 
  • Tours of the Adelaide Aquatic Centre will occur at 12:30 and 2pm 

 

Reference: (1) Diabetes: Australian facts, Data sources – Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2) Diabetes: Australian facts, Diabetes deaths – Australian Institute of Health and Welfare; (3) RACGP – Diabetes prevalence underestimated in Australia: Study (4) Diabetes: Australian facts, Hospitalisations – Australian Institute of Health and Welfare