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‘Come and see us – it could save your life’
With 120,000 Australians developing diabetes in the past 12 months alone, the RACGP has renewed calls for patients to visit their GP early.
Almost 1.9 million Australians are living with diabetes.
Every five minutes in Australia, one person is diagnosed with diabetes.
Currently, almost 1.9 million Australians have the condition, which is now the country’s seventh most common cause of death.
But this National Diabetes Week, which runs from 13–19 July, the RACGP is urging the public to consult their GPs, in an effort to save lives.
RACGP President Dr Michael Wright said it is important that GPs stay diligent in doing all they can to prevent a patient being diagnosed with diabetes.
‘It is much better to prevent diabetes than to treat it, and we encourage people to see their GP, get tested and have regular check-ups,’ he said.
‘This year for National Diabetes Week we are trying to encourage earlier diagnosis as well as preventing diabetes with a focus on lifestyle intervention
‘We manage these cases every day and often work with other health professionals in the effort to reduce diabetes in Australia.
‘Come and see us – it could save your life.’
The RACGP’s call comes as a recent analysis by Diabetes Australia found the condition now costs the health system $9.1 billion each year – up from $3.4 billion estimated in 2020–21.
Diabetes Australia Group CEO Justine Cain said while there are currently 1.3 million Australians living with type 2 diabetes, another 500,000 live with ‘silent, undiagnosed type 2 diabetes’.
‘Worryingly, there are another two million people who are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes,’ she said.
‘In addition to the role that genetics and family history play in diabetes, we know that up to 58% of type 2 diabetes cases can be prevented or delayed through lifestyle changes.
‘This National Diabetes Week we want to highlight the importance of prevention and early diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and the prevention of complications from all types of diabetes.’
Ms Cain said while Australia has made progress in other areas of disease prevention, such as breast cancer and melanoma, diabetes prevention is falling behind that of other countries.
‘We need a strong, coordinated public health response,’ she said.
‘That includes education campaigns, better food labelling, school-based initiatives and improved access to prevention and early intervention services.’
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