Type 2 diabetes is one of the most pressing health issues facing Australia today. An Australian is diagnosed every five minutes, and over 1.3 million people are currently living with the condition.

In the past 10 years rates of type 2 diabetes in young people have grown exponentially. The number of people diagnosed with diabetes in their 20s and 30s has increased by 44%, and diabetes diagnoses before the age of 20 have risen by 17%.

While genetics and other risk factors contribute, up to 58% of type 2 diabetes cases are thought to be preventable, making public education and lifestyle support more critical than ever.

As part of National Diabetes Week 2025, Diabetes Australia is calling for urgent national action to prevent type 2 diabetes and its devastating complications. With the health system facing over $9 billion in annual diabetes-related costs, the need for prevention has never been greater.

The rising cost of inaction

Diabetes is estimated to cost the Australian health system more than $9.1 billion every year. That’s almost three times more than previous estimates. If even half of this burden could be avoided, the savings would be enough to fund the annual salary of 45,000 nurses.

The personal toll is also immense. Type 2 diabetes increases the risk of heart attacks and stroke by up to four times. It is the leading cause of blindness in working-age adults, kidney failure, and amputations, many of which are preventable with early intervention and good care.

For people living with diabetes, preventing or delaying complications is a 24/7 job. It requires the monitoring of blood glucose levels and blood pressure, keeping cholesterol low, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle through regular exercise and a balanced diet. It also requires the support of a team of health professionals providing expert advice.

Without action, 3.6 million Australians could be living with diabetes by 2050, putting unsustainable pressure on individuals, communities, and the health system.

Prevention: What’s needed?

Diabetes Australia has long advocated for a national prevention strategy and continues to call on the Federal Government to invest in a coordinated approach. Raising awareness of type 2 diabetes prevention through public education campaigns and initiatives to encourage healthy lifestyles is long overdue. We are calling for better food labelling to make healthy choices easier; school-based programs to educate children and families early; and culturally sensitive support for high-risk communities.

During National Diabetes Week 2025 we are encouraging Australians to get a health check to understand their risk of type 2 diabetes. The free AusDRisk health assessment tool is available online and can assess an individual’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes over the next five years.

Australia has seen successful prevention campaigns for other health conditions, including melanoma and breast cancer, so we know this can work.

Preventing type 2 diabetes requires more than individual willpower. It needs environments that support healthy choices, and a society that understands diabetes is not caused by personal failure but is shaped by complex factors including genetics, access to healthy food, and opportunity for physical activity.

Addressing stigma and supporting people at risk

Misinformation about diabetes can cause shame and isolation. Stigma often prevents people from seeking help or making changes. It’s critical to challenge the idea that type 2 diabetes is simply a result of poor choices. Genetics, cultural background, and social determinants of health all play a role.

Everyone deserves support, not blame. That starts with improving awareness and ensuring people can access help early.

The role of allied health in prevention

Healthia, one of Australia’s largest networks of allied health providers, plays a valuable role in supporting prevention and early intervention.

• Exercise physiologists create tailored movement plans to improve fitness and reduce insulin resistance.
• Podiatrists help prevent diabetes-related foot complications and keep people active.
• Physiotherapists support safe physical activity and address mobility barriers that can limit exercise.
• Dietitians and other health professionals across Healthia’s clinics support long-term behaviour change through evidence-based care.

With over 400 clinics nationwide, Healthia’s services are accessible in both metropolitan and regional areas, helping more Australians take practical steps toward better health.

What you can do this National Diabetes Week

• Get a health check. Visit your local Priceline Pharmacy for a free SiSU machine health check or take the AusDRisk online quiz to learn your five-year risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
• Talk to your GP or health professional about ways to support your health and prevent complications.
• Support calls for national action on diabetes prevention, better food labelling, and public education.

Preventing type 2 diabetes isn’t just a health priority, it’s an economic and social one. By acting now, we can reduce the toll of diabetes on millions of Australians and ensure a healthier future for the next generation.