Media Releases

A new study from Deakin University has found that taking 500mg of vitamin C twice daily can help those with type 2 diabetes by lowering elevated blood sugar levels across the day and minimising spikes in blood sugar after meals.

The randomised cross-over study, recently published in the journal Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, also found vitamin C lowered blood pressure in people with type 2 diabetes, suggesting benefits for heart health too.

Australian diabetes patients will have access to a new, Australian first device that works like an artificial pancreas.

Developed in consultation with patients and clinicians from around the world including St Vincent’s, the hybrid closed loop insulin pump system automatically adjusts to deliver people living with type 1 diabetes precise amounts of insulin when they need it – a function usually performed by the pancreas.

New data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare shows the gap between the lowest and highest socioeconomic groups continues to widen for heart disease, stroke, diabetes and chronic kidney disease.

Rates of heart attack and stroke increased with socioeconomic disadvantage, as did the number of people living with diabetes or chronic kidney disease.

Parents and carers of 11,000 Australian children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes are likely to face more challenges than most as they begin the new school year.

“There are more than 1000 school age children who have been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in the past year, and for these students and their families, as well as those already living with type 1 diabetes, starting a new school or having new teachers can be overwhelming and challenging,” Diabetes Australia CEO Professor Greg Johnson said.

“It is critical that principals and school staff are equipped to support students with type 1 diabetes and that these children don’t experience discrimination or adverse impacts as a result of their condition."

Diabetes Australia today announced the appointment of Mr Barry O’Farrell, former Premier of New South Wales, as its new President and Board Chair.

Retiring President, Hon Judi Moylan AO, said Diabetes Australia was delighted to have attracted a very strong field of candidates and she welcomed Mr O’Farrell who took over the role from 1 January 2019.

Diabetes Australia has welcomed the inclusion of $243.5 million over four years from 2018-19 (and $84.1 million per year ongoing) to support people with diabetes and the expansion of access to new glucose monitoring technologies.

Diabetes Australia CEO Professor Greg Johnson said it was very pleasing that the continuous glucose monitoring program, first announced in 2016 and extended recently by the Government, will form part of the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) from 1 January 2019.

Junk food advertising to children urgently needs to be better regulated. That’s a recommendation from the Senate report on obesity, released last night, and a message that the Australian Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance strongly supports.

Chair of the Australian Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance Sharon McGowan said limiting unhealthy food marketing would reduce children's exposure to unhealthy food and its subsequent consumption.

“Unhealthy weight is a major risk factor for cancer, diabetes, heart disease, stroke and kidney disease. Preventing obesity in children is particularly important, as it is difficult to reverse weight gain once established," Ms McGowan said.

Australia’s leading diabetes groups have welcomed a major funding boost that will help up to 37,000 Australians with type 1 diabetes access life-changing diabetes technology.

Minister for Health, the Hon. Greg Hunt MP announced funding of $100 million over four years to help Australians living with type 1 diabetes access glucose monitoring technology. The funding will save eligible people with diabetes up to $7000 per annum.

A new diabetes in schools education and training program will make it easier for teachers and staff to support children with type 1 diabetes, and give parents confidence that their children will be safe and supported at school.

Minister for Health, the Hon. Greg Hunt MP, at Mornington Park Primary School in Melbourne announced funding of $6 million over two years to develop and deliver the program through the National Diabetes Services Scheme.

Diabetes Australia applauds the decision by Health Minister Greg Hunt and the Federal Government to list Ryzodeg on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) from 30 July 2018.

Ryzodeg is a combination of ultra-long acting and rapid-acting insulin delivered in a once-daily injection that will eliminate the need for multiple daily injections and make diabetes management easier and less intrusive for some people.

Insulin injections are one of the most intrusive parts of living with diabetes. All people living with type 1 diabetes who are not using insulin pumps and many people with type 2 diabetes have to inject themselves with insulin multiple times during the day.