PREVENTABLE DIABETES ON THE RISE IN QUEENSLAND

Diabetes is projected to overtake coronary heart disease as Australia’s single biggest cause of ill health and premature death by 2023, Health Minister Stephen Robertson said today.

Mr Robertson said the latest statistics prepared for the Chief Health Officer of Queensland show that approximately 20,000 new cases of Type 2 diabetes are diagnosed in Queensland each year.

‘That’s nearly 55 new cases every day.

“In 2005-06, there were 14,939 Queenslanders admitted to public hospitals where the principal diagnosis was diabetes. There are at least 570 deaths per year due to diabetes.

“In 1993, diabetes was the fourth biggest cause of ill health and premature death in Australia.

“Today, diabetes is one of the few conditions for which prevalence and death rates are steadily increasing each year.

“Approximately 180,000 Queenslanders are estimated to have diabetes; including about 8.4 % of all Queensland adults.

“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are also three times more likely to suffer diabetes than the general population,” he said.

Mr Robertson said diabetes is part of the tsunami of chronic disease on our horizon.

“That’s why the Beattie Government is investing an additional $155 million over four years to fight chronic diseases such as diabetes.

“We have also committed a further $21 million over three years to combat the growing problem of obesity which can contribute to diabetes.”

“And we have specific programs targeted at addressing diabetes and other chronic diseases in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities,” he said.

Mr Robertson said diabetes was of particular concern in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

“Access to affordable, nutritious food in remote indigenous communities is a problem we are addressing.”

“Queensland Health is leading a national Remote Indigenous Stores and Takeaways Project that is working to improve the accessibility, affordability and quality of nutritious food supply in remote communities.

“We’re also conducting with Queensland Treasury an ongoing Healthy Food Access Basket Survey to monitor the cost and availability of nutritious food in remote indigenous community stores.

“And Queensland Health runs indigenous-specific programs to support maternal and infant nutrition to ensure early intervention for children whose growth is faltering or who are becoming overweight.”

Mr Robertson said all Queenslanders could significantly reduce their risk of Type 2 diabetes through personal lifestyle choices.

“In 75% of cases, diabetes is due to the combined effects of obesity and physical inactivity.

“There’s clear evidence that the risk of Type 2 diabetes can be significantly reduced by healthy eating, achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, and regular physical activity.

“Even a small amount of weight loss can be very beneficial.

“Our message to people is very simple ---- be active every day in as many ways as you can and choose healthy food. “

Mr Robertson said the Beattie Government was doing its bit to improve community awareness about simple ways to reduce the risk of diabetes and other chronic diseases.

“We have a number of programs in place to improve community awareness about healthy eating, physical activity and healthy weight.

“These include the Go for 2 & 5 Campaign to increase fruit and vegetable consumption; the 10,000 Steps Program to promote physical activity; and the Smart Choices – Healthy Food and Drink Strategy for Queensland Schools.

“And there are over 100 initiatives to promote healthy weight; healthy eating and an active lifestyle outlined in our Eat Well Be Active – healthy kids for life Action Plan 2005-08.”

MEDIA:   PAUL LYNCH   0417 728 676