Diabetes Australia has welcomed a new Productivity Commission report that recommends prioritising prevention programs to combat chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes.

The interim report, Delivering quality care more efficiently, is the final of five interim reports the Productivity Commission has released to help guide the Australian Government’s productivity agenda.

In its submission to the Delivering quality care more efficiently report, Diabetes Australia called for a consistent, national approach to diabetes prevention and the development of self-care models for people living with diabetes.

In response to those calls, recommendation 3 of the report calls on the Australian Government to implement a National Prevention Investment Framework to support prevention programs that improve outcomes and reduce demand for future acute care services.

Australia is in the midst of a type 2 diabetes epidemic with one person diagnosed every eight minutes.

Diabetes Australia CEO Justine Cain said the individual and economic benefits of investing in chronic condition prevention and wellbeing are well documented.

“Diabetes Australia has long advocated for a national framework to inform investment in programs that prevent chronic conditions including type 2 diabetes, as well as the complications relating to all types of diabetes,” Ms Cain said.

“The recommendations in this report demonstrate that the Federal Government’s peak economic advisory body also understands the importance of such an approach.

“We hope that this high-level endorsement will be the catalyst for much needed action around prevention, particularly when it comes to the prevention of chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes.

“We are ready to work with the government and the broader health community to turn these ideas into action and improve the lives of all those affected by diabetes,” Ms Cain said.

The Productivity Commission’s final report, titled Growth Mindset, will be released next year after another round of community consultation later this year.

About Diabetes Australia

Diabetes Australia is the national organisation supporting all people living with or at risk of diabetes. We put people first. We work in collaboration with member organisations, consumers, health professionals, state-based organisations, researchers and the community.

For more information visit: www.diabetesaustralia.com.au