Last week was an important moment for public health in Australia. The new laws that were passed to create an independent Australian Centre for Disease Control (CDC), brought us in line with other developed countries. The creation of this independent body is news worth celebrating.  

And while the CDC’s first focus will be on infectious diseases, this moment gives rise to another question. What more could also be done about the equally serious chronic conditions impacting millions of Australians? 

A healthy nation is a productive nation. As the Productivity Commission finalises its landmark five pillars inquiry, one recommendation stands out as a game-changer: the establishment of a National Prevention Investment Framework. This isn’t just a health policy proposal – it’s a productivity strategy. A healthier population means a stronger, more resilient workforce and economy. 

The Commission’s interim report on delivering quality care more efficiently rightly notes that “stopping problems from starting or getting worse – particularly for vulnerable populations – can result in better outcomes for individuals and the community.” The evidence is clear: preventive health reduces absenteeism, boosts workforce participation, and helps contain rising healthcare costs.  

The AIHW estimates that spending on chronic conditions totals around $82 billion annually. Yet less than 2% of total government health spending goes to public health initiatives like chronic condition prevention and health promotion. That’s not just a missed opportunity – it’s a growing national risk. 

This World Diabetes Day (14 November), the International Diabetes Federation is spotlighting diabetes and the workplace, encouraging environments that support and empower people living with diabetes. It’s a timely reminder that more than two million Australians live with diabetes, and another two million are at risk of type 2 diabetes – many of whom are making vital contributions across every sector of our workforce. 

Living with diabetes does not diminish a person’s ability to thrive at work or in life. With the right support – including access to flexible work arrangements and inclusive workplace policies – people with diabetes can live well with the condition and contribute fully and meaningfully. Creating supportive workplaces isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s a strategic investment in people, productivity, and equity. 

Importantly, when we talk about prevention, we’re not only talking about reducing the risk, or delaying the onset, of chronic conditions, particularly type 2 diabetes. This is also about supporting those already living with all types of diabetes to avoid complications and maintain their health and wellbeing. For people with diabetes, this means preventing serious outcomes like kidney failure, blindness, amputations, heart attacks, and strokes – many of which are preventable with timely care, education, and support. 

The Australian Government has recognised the importance of this shift. “Pivoting to prevention and early intervention” is one of four strategic priorities in the Department of Health’s Corporate Plan 2025–26. Now is the time to act. 

The statistics are sobering: eight in ten Australians have at least one long-term health condition. One in two lives with a chronic condition. The consequences of not investing in preventive health are too great to ignore. 

The good news? We know what works. Initiatives like Diabetes Australia’s KeepSight Program have helped over half a million Australians reduce their risk of diabetes-related blindness by more than 90%. And our successful health coaching programs are delivering real results in the prevention of type 2 diabetes and its complications.  

Diabetes Australia is scaling up prevention efforts, including the launch of 1800PREVENT (type 2 diabetes), a free phone and online service helping people at risk of type 2 diabetes navigate health information. We often hear that there is a lot of information out there, but it isn’t always easy to find and sometimes it’s hard to know if it’s good advice or not. This service is helping to cut through the noise and encourage people to speak to a health professional if they are at risk of type 2 diabetes. 

The Productivity Commission’s proposed National Prevention Investment Framework is a pivotal opportunity. For too long, Australia’s health spending has focused on treating chronic conditions and complications rather than preventing them. 

If we get this right – and invest in prevention – we’ll not only improve health outcomes, but also strengthen our workforce and economy. Prevention is productivity, and the time to act is now. 

This opinion piece was published in the Canberra Times on 14 November 2025 to mark World Diabetes Day.