Help support increased screening for undiagnosed type 2 diabetes

Early detection of type 2 diabetes through screening and diagnosis provides opportunities for earlier treatment, improved quality of life and complication prevention.  

About 1.7 million Australians are living with type 2 diabetes – including an estimated 500,000 people with silent, undiagnosed type 2 diabetes. 

Making diabetes screening options easier to access can increase people’s willingness to be screened for undiagnosed diabetes. Screening for undiagnosed type 2 diabetes is recommended in the Australian National Diabetes Strategy, and is supported by the Australian Diabetes Society, the Australian Diabetes Educators Association and Diabetes Australia.  

A government-funded pilot program has seen community pharmacies providing blood glucose testing for diabetes screening and management. Pharmacists are trusted and well respected by community members and are a commonly used and cost-effective health resource. The Pharmacy Diabetes Screening Trial compared the effectiveness of three pharmacy-based screening models in detecting type 2 diabetes, so people can be referred to their GP, diagnosed earlier, and can start managing their blood glucose levels in a clinically timely manner. 

The Australian Government is currently considering the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the trial, to inform their decisions about any broader rollout. 

We are keen to understand our community’s perspective on this model, that we can share with the Government and help support increased screening for undiagnosed type 2 diabetes. 

Other ways to take action on this issue

• Complete the MSAC consultation survey  
• Donate to support Diabetes Australia’s advocacy work and, together, we can drive change  
• Our members are vital to our advocacy efforts.  Join our member community today.