There are an estimated 500,000 Australians currently unaware they have Type 2 Diabetes, putting them at risk from the serious health impacts associated with it – are you one of them?
National Diabetes Week 2025 is happening now, and the Rural Doctors Association of Australia (RDAA) is urging rural and remote Australians to make an appointment with their doctor for a diabetes health check.
‘Everyone should take diabetes seriously,’ said RDAA President, Dr RT Lewandowski.
‘Diabetes contributes to more than 21,000 deaths in Australia each year. It is among the 10 leading causes of death in Australia, with men 1.7 times more likely than women to die from it. Amongst other things, it is a leading cause of stroke, heart and kidney disease, dementia, preventable blindness, and limb amputations.
‘While Type 1 Diabetes accounts for around 10 per cent of all cases, Type 2 Diabetes makes up 85 per cent – and, worryingly, that’s increasing. In fact, the number of people living with Type 2 Diabetes in Australia almost tripled between 2000 and 2021, from around 400,000 to almost 1.2 million.’
Management
While Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune disease that cannot be prevented and must be managed through lifelong daily insulin therapy, Type 2 Diabetes can often be prevented and managed through better lifestyle choices.
‘Three in every five cases of Type 2 Diabetes are preventable through early diagnosis and intervention – including things like eating healthier foods, exercising more, losing weight, quitting smoking, and managing your blood pressure and cholesterol,’ said Dr Lewandowski.
‘The most important first step is finding out whether you have Type 2 Diabetes or are at heightened risk of developing it – that’s why getting a regular check-up with your doctor is so crucial.
‘We urge all rural and remote Australians, particularly those who are over 40 years old, to book an appointment with their local doctor to check their diabetes risk – and if they are diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, to ensure they get on top of it early.
‘It is also crucial that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 18 years and older have an annual diabetes screening test.’
Complications
Dr Lewandowski said those diagnosed with Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes should also see their doctor and/or other health professionals at least annually for regular checks of their eye health, feet, blood pressure and kidneys, to reduce the risk of long-term complications. (Gestational diabetes will normally be managed during a woman’s pregnancy by her healthcare team).
‘If you are diagnosed with diabetes, it is crucial you do all you can to keep it well managed – that includes getting regular check-ups,’ he said.
Dr Lewandowski also warned that, when it comes to acting on potential symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes, early intervention is crucial.
‘If you or someone you know experiences the sudden onset of symptoms like an unquenchable thirst, a feeling of being inexplicably tired, the need to urinate more frequently than usual, or overnight bedwetting, don’t delay in seeing your doctor or getting to hospital – these are the classic symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes, and if left untreated Type 1 Diabetes can be fatal,’ he said.
‘While Type 1 Diabetes (or Juvenile Diabetes) is mostly diagnosed in younger people, adults can certainly also be diagnosed with it – so it is important to take heed of the warning signs and to act fast in seeing a doctor or getting to hospital to be assessed.’
