This World Diabetes Day, Diabetes Australia, together with the ADS and the ADEA, is launching the Diabetes Research Changes Lives campaign to highlight the impact of research transforming the lives of people living with diabetes, and call for more funding for diabetes research.

To change the trajectory of the diabetes epidemic, research must be at the forefront of our response. We have world-class researchers, undertaking world-class research, but this can’t be sustained if funding continues to decline.

Diabetes Australia Group CEO, Justine Cain, reached out to the Australian research community to communicate our plan to address this situation and affect change.

• In the coming months, Diabetes Australia and the ADS will host a number of roundtable discussions with leading researchers from across the country to develop a national strategic roadmap for research. It is critical we have a clear plan that outlines priorities for research and investment.

• Diabetes Australia has appointed a Director of Research (announcement of successful candidate in December 2023) to provide leadership as we collectively work with the research community to develop a national diabetes research strategy.

• Diabetes Australia has bolstered our fundraising and philanthropy efforts, with the appointment of a senior philanthropy leader to grow funding so that Diabetes Australia can continue to fund and provide research grants across Australia.

• We are stepping up our political engagement and advocacy efforts to lobby the Australian Government and other funders to increase investment in diabetes research.

“Funding for diabetes research has declined significantly over the past decade. Yet the number of people living with all types of diabetes continues to increase,” Justine Cain writes.

“Diabetes Australia shares the concerns of the diabetes research community, and we are committed to addressing the need for more research funding to improve the lives of people living with or at risk of diabetes”.

Diabetes research changes lives and creates hope for the future. Research is critical in our fight to drive change to prevent, treat and, ultimately, cure diabetes.

To get involved, you can go to our Spark Change platform and add your support, or share your views, to our petition to increase funding.