April 22, 2015
Figures released this week by Diabetes Queensland show the number of South Burnett residents living with Type 2 diabetes has risen 13 per cent over the past two years, higher than the State average of 10 per cent.
In 2013 there were 1534 South Burnett Regional Council area residents registered with the National Diabetes Services Scheme. This year, the figure has risen to 1731.
In contrast, within the Cherbourg Aboriginal Council area, there were 91 residents registered in 2013 and 100 in 2015 – a 10 per cent rise.
However, the percentage of total Cherbourg residents with diabetes would be much larger than the percentage of South Burnett residents because of the much smaller population base.
The diabetes increase also varies across the South Burnett’s adjoining shires.
Residents in the North Burnett Regional Council area area are faring much better, with only a 9 per cent increase, from 409 to 444.
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Gympie council area has a 10 per cent rise (2500 to 2751) and Toowoomba a 12 per cent rise (6217 to 6944).
Somerset is up 15 per cent, from 997 to 1142, and Western Downs is up 11 per cent from 1602 to 1783.
Diabetes Queensland CEO Michelle Trute said the latest figures showed there were now more than 186,000 Queenslanders living with Type 2 diabetes registered with the National Diabetes Services Scheme.
“Diabetes Queensland is concerned there could be a further 515,000 Queenslanders living with Type 2 diabetes who are undiagnosed, have pre-diabetes or are at high risk of developing the condition,” Ms Trute said.
“Type 2 Diabetes is the single biggest challenge facing Queensland’s health system and the new figures show how rapidly the number of people diagnosed with the condition is increasing.
“Unless we act now Queensland could see diabetes-related health care spending increase by as much as 500 per cent over three decades to 2032.”
Ms Trute said the entire community had a role to play in tackling Queensland’s Type 2 diabetes epidemic.
“International studies have shown Type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed in 58 per cent of cases,” she said.
“Type 2 diabetes is serious, it is for life and the consequences can include blindness, limb amputation, kidney failure and, ultimately, death.”
She encouraged any Queenslander concerned about the rising rates of Type 2 diabetes to have their say during the Federal Government’s National Diabetes Strategy consultation.
“During the last Federal election Diabetes Queensland lobbied all parties to adopt a National Diabetes Strategy and consultation for that strategy is now underway,” Ms Trute said.
“I would encourage all Queenslanders to have their say.”
- Related article: 1 in 10 Locals At Risk of Diabetes
- External link: National Diabetes Strategy consultation
