National Diabetes Week will run from 9 to 15 July, and this year the focus is on challenging diabetes-related stigma.
The annual event includes fundraising and helps raise awareness and works towards prevention.
Diabetes is a leading cause of blindness, chronic kidney disease and dialysis, lower limb amputations, heart disease, stroke, complications in pregnancy and poor pregnancy outcomes.
These complications can have a significant impact on individuals, communities and the health system.
If you’re diabetic, you will be aware of the impact diabetes has on your life and how it affects other aspects of your health, including mental health.
GPs recommend you have a good care plan in place to manage your diabetes and to keep ahead of any possible complications.
Diabetes is entrenched in the community: 1.5 million Australians live with diabetes, 120,000 people diagnosed with diabetes each year and 400,000 Australians at high risk of diabetes.
In South Western Sydney, 14.5 per cent of people live with diabetes or high blood sugar, higher than the state average of 11.3 per cent – and that number is steadily growing.
There are three main types of diabetes:
- Type 1 diabetes, a genetic condition which often shows up early in life
- Type 2 diabetes, mainly lifestyle-related and develops over time
- Gestational diabetes, occurs during pregnancy