World Diabetes Day a chance to reflect on our lifestyle

Health Minister Stephen Robertson says today’s World Diabetes Day should act as a wake up call to people who lead unhealthy and sedentary lifestyles.

“The statistics on diabetes are concerning,” Mr Robertson said.

“It is estimated 217,000 Queenslanders have the disease, 180,000 people have it but don’t know it and 700,000 Queenslanders are at high risk - and there is no cure.

“Diabetes is the most common cause of kidney failure and blindness in our community and people with the disease have a two to four times increased risk of having a heart attack.

“The dramatic rise in preventable disease such as Type 2 diabetes is one of the biggest health issues of our times and represents a threat to our health system and Queensland’s economy.”

World Diabetes Day is the main global awareness campaign of the diabetes world. Its theme this year is Diabetes in Children and Adolescents.

Mr Robertson said the type 2 diabetes disease burden was predicted to increase by a massive 55 per cent between 2006 and 2016.

“This is primarily due to our increasingly inactive lifestyle and rising levels of obesity,” Mr Robertson said.

“Queenslanders are not Australia’s healthiest people but by 2020 we aim to be.

“We know if we don’t act now to encourage people to change their lifestyle, we face a problem of epidemic proportions.”

Mr Robertson said the Bligh Government’s Q2 vision had set an ambitious target of cutting obesity rates by a third in Queensland.

“We have a number of programs in place to encourage people to change their lifestyles by eating more fruit and vegetables, exercising more and losing excesses weight,” he said.

“There are also a number of innovative programs in place to assist people with managing their diabetes.

“For example, a pilot program at the Inala Chronic Disease Management Service is treating people with type 2 diabetes by providing care in the community and helping people to self manage their diabetes.

“The program has seen significant clinical outcomes that are equivalent or even better than that achieved in a tertiary referral hospital.

“As part of World Diabetes Day, I encourage everyone to have a closer look at their lifestyle and make positive changes for the future.”

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Media Contact: Catherine Goldie 3234 1190/0417 728 676