Diabetes: Reducing the Burden of Disease in Victoria

Poor diets and a sedentary lifestyle have led to increased numbers of overweight and obese individuals and an increased prevalence of diabetes. In adults over 25 years of age in Victoria, the prevalence of diabetes is now over 7 per cent. The rate rises with increasing age, reaching a high of 18 per cent in those aged over 75 years. Diabetes is directly responsible for over 3 per cent of the total disease burden in Victoria, with over half due to non-fatal complications. Diabetes is also responsible for a proportion of the burden of disease due to ischaemic heart disease, stroke and peripheral vascular disease. Type 2 diabetes is preventable and most of the complications of diabetes are preventable or can be delayed with good glycaemic control and aggressive management of blood pressure. This paper reviews proposed multidisciplinary programs to reduce the impact of diabetes