To mark World Diabetes Day (14 November 2021), the Morrison Government has released a new 10-year plan to better support Australians living with all forms of diabetes.
The Australian National Diabetes Strategy 2021–2030 is set to drive real improvements in the prevention, early detection, management, and care of people with diabetes.
With approximately 1:20 Australians affected by diabetes, the new strategy is expected to bring together the latest research and evidence to ensure our health response continues to adapt to the changing health environment.
The Strategy is aimed at all Australians living with diabetes and includes information relevant to the Covid-19 pandemic and living in a Covid-safe manner and diabetes self-management.
It also features specific details and actions for priority population groups, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and expectant mothers.
The theme for this year’s World Diabetes Day is Access to Diabetes Care: If Not Now, When? highlighting the ongoing care and support people with diabetes require to manage their condition and avoid complications.
This year also marks 100 years since the discovery of insulin. This medical breakthrough has saved the lives of millions over the last century, and the Morrison Government is committed to ensuring it continues to be available to those who need it.
It’s said that in just 12 months, the number of Australians with diabetes registered with the National Diabetes Services Scheme increased by more than 120,000 people, climbing to around 1.4 million in June 2021.
The Morrison Government provides funding to support people with diabetes through the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS), which includes programs such as KeepSight, Diabetes in Schools, FootForward and MyDesmond; the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), the Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) initiative, and research funding.
In 2020–21, the NDSS delivered more than 5.9 million diabetes products worth more than $186 million, and more than $709 million in medicines were dispensed under the PBS. The Government has also invested more than $300 million in the CGM initiative over four years.
Significant investments have been made in diabetes research, including $626 million through the National Health and Medical Research Council since 2010, and $78 million through the Medical Research Future Fund since 2015.
The Australian National Diabetes Strategy 2021–2030 is available online: health.gov.au/resources/publications/australian-national-diabetes-strategy-2021-2030
