Media Releases - 10 July 2022

• Diabetes Victoria and 26 diabetes community leaders are calling on the next state government to act now – see the Open Letter.
• Government knows one in four people in Victoria’s hospitals has diabetes, and has identified the need to reduce hospital admissions. Yet, there is no clear plan to achieve this.
• We need a Victorian Diabetes Plan to provide greater support and care.
• One in five Victorian voters are impacted in some way by diabetes. They are either one of the 374,000 people living with the condition, or a family member of someone with diabetes. Many more Victorians are at risk of type 2 diabetes.
• Diabetes complications are serious – they can include blindness, limb amputations, and kidney and heart failure.
• One in five COVID-19 deaths over the past two years have been among people with preexisting diabetes.
• No one chooses diabetes. Show your support for people with diabetes by sharing this Open Letter with your Member of Parliament on World Diabetes Day – 14 November – 101 years since the life-saving discovery of insulin.
• We are drawing attention to the two Victorian suburbs that have the highest prevalence of diabetes - Dandenong and Broadmeadows. On World Diabetes Day, the Drum Theatre, Town Hall Dandenong and Broadmeadows Townhall will be lit up in blue. This illumination will assist in raising awareness of diabetes, as well as hope for people living with this chronic condition.
• Diabetes Victoria’s CEO, Glen Noonan is available for interview and comment Diabetes Victoria released today, on World Diabetes Day, an “Open Letter” to both major parties seeking a commitment to address the incredibly serious and growing diabetes
  pandemic.

The open letter is signed by 26 leaders of the health and diabetes community, including well known advocates for diabetes, Dr Susan Alberti AC and Prof Paul Zimmet AO.

CEO of Diabetes Victoria, Glen Noonan said, “We are calling on the next Victorian Government to make an election commitment now to prioritise the support of Victorians and their families, who are living with diabetes.

“Government already knows one in four people in Victoria’s hospitals has diabetes.

“There’s a recognition we need to reduce hospital admissions among people with diabetes. But there is no clear plan on how to achieve this. The issue is not being taken seriously enough.

“The community needs both major parties to act on diabetes care - and recognise that over 1 million Victorians – that is, one in five voters – are affected by diabetes in some way, either by having some type of diabetes themselves, or having a family member with diabetes.

“We need a plan – an ambitious Victorian Diabetes Plan – focused on the urgent need to improve both the health and quality of life of all Victorians affected by, or at risk of, diabetes, and to reduce hospital admissions,” he said.

Currently there is no cure for any type of diabetes and all types of diabetes have long-term health implications, which can reduce both quality and length of life.

Mr Noonan said, “In the past two years, one in five COVID-19 deaths have been among people with pre-existing diabetes. People with diabetes have been far more likely than the general population to be hospitalised, and experience very serious complications.

“Diabetes is increasing at a faster rate than any other chronic condition and remains one of the biggest challenges confronting our health system. These are testing times for everyone, but particularly for the 379,000 Victorians who are currently living with diabetes,” he said.

For detailed information and to download the Open Letter visit: www.diabetesvic.org.au

Media enquiries: Annette Glenister – 0400 772 722

Diabetes Victoria
570 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
comms@diabetesvic.org.au

Click here to download this document as a PDF