Diabetes Australia’s President, the Hon. Judi Moylan, was recently appointed to the new Council of the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHRMC).
The Council is an advisory body supporting the NHMRC’s critical national role in shaping and supporting research to address Australia’s current and future health challenge.
Heart disease is one of the leading health issues faced by people with diabetes. However, researchers believe that high density lipoproteins (HDL), sometimes referred to as good cholesterol, could help protect the heart.
Dr Joanne Tan from the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute is looking at whether HDL can help with angiogenesis, the process of forming new blood vessels from pre-existing blood vessels.
Peripheral neuropathy, the damage to nerves in hands and feet, is one of the most common diabetes-related complications but one side-effect people may be unaware of is the fact that peripheral neuropathy makes it harder for people to maintain their balance. This can make them susceptible to falls.
Now Dr Anna Hatton, from the University of Queensland, is leading a study into whether a textured shoe insole could help improve people’s balance.
People living with diabetes are two to four times more likely to develop heart disease but there are currently no specific treatments for people with diabetes-related heart disease.
This is a problem Dr Miles De Blasio from the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute is trying to solve and he thinks the answer may already be with us – in our hearts.
“People living with diabetes have reduced amounts of a protective protein called adiponectin,” Dr De Blasio says.
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.
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.
Every day scientists are learning more about the links between type 2 diabetes and dementia. Both conditions can have a major impact on a person’s quality of life as they age.
This why Diabetes Australia is supporting research into how a process known as oxidative stress contributes to the development of both conditions.
Dr Camilla Hoyos from the University of Sydney is leading a project which is using MRI scanning to assess levels of oxidative stress within the brain.
Australians with all types of diabetes, who often see a range of health professionals to manage their condition, could see the biggest health benefits from having a My Health Record.
My Health Record is an online health record, that enables the safe storage, access and sharing of important health information. It will improve communication between GPs, endocrinologists (diabetes specialists), diabetes educators, optometrists, podiatrists and other health professionals that provide care to people with diabetes.
Heart disease will shorten the lives of many people living with type 2 diabetes by almost a decade, however new research supported by Diabetes Australia could pave the way to earlier identification and earlier treatment.
Dr Kwok Leung Ong, from the University of NSW, is leading the study to identify biomarkers, detectable characteristics, that could help identify people with type 2 diabetes who are at a higher risk of heart disease.
A new report authored by Professor Stephen Colagiuri has found less than 40 per cent of people with diabetes complete the annual cycle of care – a series of health checks with different health professionals designed to keep people healthy.
“Overall the data indicates that many people with diagnosed diabetes in Australia are not receiving expected standards of diabetes care,” Professor Colaguiri said.
