Diabetes Australia has welcomed the release by the Minister for Health, Hon Sussan Ley MP, of the new Australian National Diabetes Strategy 2016-2020 as a once in a decade opportunity to strengthen the fight against the nation’s biggest health threat.

“We are seeing 280 Australians develop diabetes every day, we now have 1.2 million Australians diagnosed with diabetes, and it’s costing the nation $15 billion a year” said Diabetes Australia President, Judi Moylan “so it’s wonderful to now have a national strategy to prevent the growth of the epidemic, and keep people with diabetes healthy and productive.

“We have strong evidence about what works in terms of preventing people developing type 2 diabetes, and preventing the complications of diabetes – we now need to scale up the fight and focus more minds and more money in prevention” said Ms Moylan who Co-Chaired the National Diabetes Strategy Advisory Group which presented its advice to the Minister to inform the new strategy.

“We now want to work with the Australian Government, all the States and Territories, and of course the community and business, to scale up the fight against diabetes” said Diabetes Australia CEO, Greg Johnson “Even the best strategy is no use without action and change and there is great opportunity – for earlier intervention in diabetes, and for the e-health and m-health to empower people to self care.”

Diabetes Australia started the process leading up to this launch when it published its own 2013 Federal Election document calling for a new national diabetes strategy and action plan. Diabetes Australia engaged the diabetes community and clinical and research leaders in a joint call for action – and the Coalition Government has delivered on its election commitment to develop a new national strategy.

“There were over 400 submissions to the Advisory Group from the community – showing the high level of concern across Australia to increase efforts to fight diabetes and better support families affected by diabetes” said Prof Johnson.

“Diabetes Australia acknowledges the leadership of Prof Paul Zimmet and all the members of the National Diabetes Strategy Advisory Group and Expert Advisers who helped develop the advice to Government which has today also been published” said Prof Johnson.

For information: Trish Cotter 0419 363474 Email:[email protected]

The National Diabetes Strategy is available on the Department of Health website as a word or PDF document.

Also available is the National Diabetes Strategy Advisory Group- A Strategic Framework for Action- Advice to Government on the Development of the Australian National Diabetes Strategy August 2015.

The National Diabetes Strategy Advisory Group (NDSAG) prepared this document to provide advice to the Government as it develops its National Diabetes Strategy.