Diabetes indicators in Australia The new web-based report,
Diabetes indicators in Australia, shows the prevalence of
diabetes in the Australian population increased from 1.5% to
4.1% over the 20 years to 2007-08. Diabetes can lead to serious
complications, such as cardiovascular disease and end-stage
kidney disease as well as loss of vision, limb amputation and
even death. ‘While increasing numbers of Australians are
developing the disease, there is some good news in relation to
diabetes complications,’ said AIHW spokesperson Lisa McGlynn.
Diabetes-related deaths dropped by 18% between 1997 and 2007 and
hospitalisations for lower limb amputations among people with
diabetes fell between 2001 and 2007–08, from 4.8 to 4.1 per
1,000 people with diabetes. ‘This may be a result of better
diabetes management,’ Ms McGlynn said. ‘However, the increasing
number of Australians with diabetes is still a cause for
concern, as is the number of Australians with modifiable risk
factors for diabetes.’ ‘We can help manage diabe