No, not those smarties. Diabetes for Smarties is a new book being launched by Driving Diabetes to help people with pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes make informed health decisions, reduce the risk of preventable complications, and manage the condition.
Diabetes is Australia’s fastest growing chronic disease, with someone being diagnosed every five minutes. Type 2 diabetes makes up about 90% of all cases here. The disease is a major cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke and lower limb amputation, if not managed effectively.
Unfortunately many patients don’t receive the information they need. Diabetes is growing faster than the healthcare system can keep up.
As part of National Diabetes Week, the team at Driving Diabetes has created Diabetes for Smarties to ‘bridge the gap’. The guide contains essential diabetes self-management information.
‘Although there’s more than 422 million people with type 2 diabetes worldwide,’ said Driving Diabetes’ Ms Helen Jackson, ‘the seriousness of this chronic disease is still not understood by many. Only a small percentage of people with type 2 diabetes are adequately informed about how to self-manage their condition.’
Ms Jackson said the new guide will provide diabetes-sufferers with crucial information and help reduce their risks of potentially life-threatening complications.
‘With over 30 years (combined experience) helping people with type 2 diabetes, we’ve seen that very few get the number of appointments they need to understand their condition well and confidently manage it,’ said Driving Diabetes’ Amanda Fryer.
‘There’s an overwhelming amount of information available which can create confusion and distress when searching for answers,’ she said. ‘A lot of books on diabetes are generally about cures and diets, but not practical advice.’
‘Diabetes for Smarties delivers important information simply, helping people with type 2 diabetes understand why they have this condition and what they can do to stay healthy,’ said Ms Fryer.Driving Diabetes say the primary objective of the book is to assist diabetes-sufferers, especially those in rural and remote communities, and those without access to diabetes education services, to live healthy lives and minimise the risk of preventable complications.
Ongoing additional support from Driving Diabetes is available via telehealth appointments and a private online diabetes community where they can have questions answered by credentialed diabetes educators and dietitians.
For more information and to order Diabetes for Smarties, visit drivingdiabetes.com.au.
