November is Diabetes Awareness Month here in Australia, so it’s the perfect time to have a chat about a condition that touches almost every Australian family in some way.
Here’s the thing: diabetes often sneaks up quietly. You might feel perfectly fine while it’s already getting to work behind the scenes. That’s exactly why awareness matters so much, and why a few small steps this month could make a real difference to you or one of your loved ones.
The problem: bigger than most of us realise
Diabetes is one of the fastest-growing chronic health conditions in Australia. According to Diabetes Australia, around 1.5 million Australians are living with diagnosed diabetes, and roughly 300 more people develop it every single day. That’s like filling a small school hall, every day, all year round.
And those are just the people who know about it. An estimated 500,000 Australians may have silent, undiagnosed type 2 diabetes. Around 2 million more are thought to have pre-diabetes, where blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not yet in the diabetes range.
A quick refresher on the main types:
- Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition. The body stops making insulin, and it isn’t caused by lifestyle.
- Type 2 diabetes makes up the large majority of cases (around 85 to 90 per cent). The body doesn’t use insulin properly, and it’s strongly linked to family history, age and lifestyle factors.
- Gestational diabetes develops during pregnancy and raises the risk of type 2 later in life for both mum and bub.
The tricky part? Early type 2 often has no obvious symptoms. When signs do show up, such as feeling extra thirsty, tired, needing to urinate more often, or cuts that are slow to heal, they’re easy to brush off as “just a busy week”.
Why it matters: what happens if we ignore it?
We don’t want to scare anyone, but it’s worth being straight about this. When diabetes goes undiagnosed or unmanaged, high blood glucose slowly damages blood vessels and nerves throughout the body. Over time, that can lead to:
- Heart attack and stroke, with people living with diabetes facing a much higher risk of cardiovascular disease
- Vision loss, as diabetes is a leading cause of preventable blindness in Australian adults
- Kidney damage, which can progress to kidney failure and dialysis
- Nerve damage and foot problems, with diabetes behind thousands of amputations in Australia each year
- Mental health strain, as living with a chronic condition can take a real emotional toll
The ripple effect goes beyond the individual, too. It affects families, workplaces, and a health system that spends billions each year on diabetes care.
Now for the good news, because there is plenty of it. Many of these complications can be prevented or delayed with early detection and good management. That’s where you come in.
What you can do: simple, practical steps
Type 1 diabetes can’t currently be prevented. But research shows up to 58 per cent of type 2 cases can be prevented or delayed with healthy lifestyle changes. Here are some easy places to start.
- Know your risk. Take the free AUSDRISK test (the Australian Type 2 Diabetes Risk Assessment Tool). It takes about five minutes online and gives you a clear picture of your risk.
- Book a check-up. Ask your GP about a blood glucose test, especially if you’re over 40, have a family history of diabetes, are carrying extra weight around the middle, or have had gestational diabetes. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are at higher risk and are encouraged to get checked from a younger age.
- Move a little more. You don’t need a gym membership. Aim for around 30 minutes of activity most days. A brisk walk with the dog, a swim at the local pool or a kick of the footy in the backyard all count.
- Fill your plate wisely. Load up on veggies, choose wholegrains, swap sugary drinks for water, and keep an eye on your portion sizes. Think small swaps, not strict diets.
- Look after the basics. Good sleep, managing stress, not smoking, and keeping alcohol in check all help keep blood glucose steady.
Already living with diabetes? Stay connected with your healthcare team, attend regular eye, foot and kidney checks, and register with the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) for subsidised supplies and free support programs.
Your November challenge:
This Diabetes Awareness Month, we’d love you to do three things:
- Check your risk. Take the AUSDRISK test today. It’s free and only takes a few minutes. Head to this website: https://www.health.gov.au/resources/apps-and-tools/the-australian-type-2-diabetes-risk-assessment-tool-ausdrisk?language=en
- Book that appointment. If it’s been a while since your last health check, give your GP a call this week.
- Share the message. Forward this post to a mate, your family, or your work group chat. One conversation could help someone catch diabetes early.
If you have questions or need support, the NDSS Helpline is available on 1800 637 700.
Small steps really do add up. Let’s make this November the month we look after ourselves, and each other, a little bit better.