Submissions We want to see change. In consultation with people living with diabetes, researchers and health professionals we make submissions to government inquiries, committees and peak bodies on behalf of all Australians living with diabetes. 2024 2024-25 pre-budget submissions Series of three pre-budget submissions made by Diabetes Australia, the Australian Diabetes Educators Association and the Australian Diabetes Society, which call for action for diabetes in Australia, diabetes research and optimal care – increasing access to the diabetes workforce. Diabetes in Australia Diabetes Research Optimal care – increasing access to the Diabetes Workforce 2023 Submissions to the Parliamentary Inquiry into Diabetes The Parliamentary Inquiry into Diabetes is an opportunity to act decisively to reduce the impact of the diabetes epidemic, save lives and protect the sustainability of Australia’s health system. Given the scale and complexity of the diabetes epidemic, Diabetes Australia made several submissions to the Inquiry including an overarching submission looking at the broad impact and key areas for reform. Diabetes Australia also contributed to the submissions of our health professional partner organisations, the Australian Diabetes Society and the Australian Diabetes Educators Association. Australia’s Diabetes Epidemic – An Overview Reducing the impact of type 2 diabetes – detection, prevention and remission Improving access to diabetes-related technology and medicines Reducing the impact of diabetes on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians Submission to the Health Technology Assessment Policy and Methods Review The Australian Diabetes Alliance, which includes Diabetes Australia, the Australian Diabetes Educators Association, the Australian Diabetes Society, JDRF Australia, the Australasian Diabetes in Pregnancy Society, and the Australian and New Zealand Society for Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, believes Australians living with diabetes generally have appropriate access to diabetes technology and medicines but there are areas for improvement, particularly with regards to both the time it takes for people to be able to access new medicines and technologies, and how equitable that access is. 2023-24 pre-budget submission 2023-24 pre-budget submission for priority areas: preventing type 2 diabetes, early detection for early intervention, access to essential diabetes technology for at risk groups, supporting Australia’s most vulnerable communities and reducing the impact of diabetes-related kidney disease. 2022 Federal Election Platform 2022 People with diabetes have been particularly impacted by COVID-19, including accounting for around 30% of all people in intensive care units. Worryingly, there is growing evidence that COVID-19 may increase a person’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes which could see the number of people living with the condition increase in the years ahead. This federal election Diabetes Australia is calling for a commitment to nine actions across four areas. Submission to the Inquiry into Long COVID and Repeated COVID infections People living with diabetes are more susceptible to serious COVID-19 infection, re-infection and vaccine breakthrough infections. A nationally consistent approach to data reporting is required to better understand the impact of Long COVID infections on people living with diabetes and other chronic conditions. Submission to the Inquiry into food security in Australia Diabetes Australia believes that food security is an essential part of reducing the impact of diabetes on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as well as preventing more people from developing type 2 diabetes. 2020 Submission to the Assessing Fitness to Drive Guidelines Diabetes Australia believes people living with diabetes should be permitted to drive as long as they are safely able to do so. Our submission recommended holistic measures to best determine the fitness of a person living with diabetes to drive. 2019 Submission to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety Diabetes has a serious impact on older Australians, however this vulnerable group of Australians is currently receiving sub-standard care. Our submission to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety made clear recommendations about improving the quality of diabetes healthcare and support provided in residential aged care. Submission to the Senate Select Committee in the Obesity Epidemic in Australia In May 2018, the Senate announced a Select Committee into the obesity epidemic in Australia. Diabetes Australia’s submission includes recommendations for a sugary drinks tax, improvements to the Health Star Rating system, restrictions on junk food advertising to children and ways to help people get more physically activity. 2016 The Case for an Australian Diabetes Blindness Prevention Initiative Diabetes Australia believes we need to implement a Diabetes Blindness Prevention Initiative to reduce preventable blindness in the 1.2 million Australians with diagnosed diabetes. This would be built on a national recall and reminder program to promote screening and early treatment to ensure diabetes eye disease can be identified and treated early and vision loss can be avoided. This does not involve substantial investment in new services – no new clinics, no new operating theatres, no new hospital beds. It involves innovative new “online integration” of the care systems and better utilisation of existing services and databases. Five-year review of the Health Star Rating system Diabetes Australia, as part of the Australian Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance, has made a submission into the Federal Government’s five-year review into the Health Star Rating system. While we are broadly supportive of the system we think it can be improved. We believe the system should be mandatory, the algorithm used to determine a food’s rating be revised to address inaccuracies and that education around the system continue. Subsidisation of FreeStyle Libre Flash Glucose Monitoring System on the National Diabetes Services Scheme Diabetes Australia strongly supports the subsidisation of the FreeStyle Libre Flash Glucose Monitoring System on the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS). Glucose monitoring is one of the most difficult and intrusive parts of living with diabetes and Diabetes Australia welcomes technologies that provide people with more convenient, less painful and less disruptive ways of monitoring glucose levels. Better Outcomes for people with Chronic Disease and Complex Health Conditions Diabetes Australia strongly supports the subsidisation of the Freestyle Libre Flash Glucose Monitoring System on the National Diabetes Services Scheme. Glucose monitoring is one of the most difficult and intrusive parts of living with diabetes and Diabetes Australia welcomes technologies that provide people with more convenient, less painful and less disruptive ways of monitoring glucose levels. People with diabetes are high end users of health care. In fact diabetes accounts for around one-third of all preventable hospital admissions. But many diabetes-related complications and hospitalisations could be prevented through a more effective primary care system. People with diabetes often find it difficult to navigate a complex system and find the right services and support they need at the right time. Inquiry into Chronic Disease Prevention and Management in Primary Health Care Diabetes is set to become the leading burden of disease in Australia by 2017. Without a comprehensive response, there is every likelihood diabetes will overwhelm Australia’s health system in the future. Diabetes Australia’s submission to the Inquiry provides a number of recommendations to reduce the number of people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and support the estimated 1.7 million Australians living with the condition. 2015 Re: Think Tax Review Inquiry to establishing a regulatory framework for complementary medicines
