Preventing Type 2 Diabetes: Scaling up to create a prevention system

Description

Every day an estimated 280 Australians develop type 2 diabetes. By 2023, type 2 diabetes is predicted to become the number one specific cause of burden of disease in Australia.

The International Diabetes Federation consensus statement⁶ on prevention of type 2 diabetes published in 2007 clearly identified two key target activities for prevention to be undertaken simultaneously - a high-risk population approach combined with an entire population approach. However, few countries have implemented this combined approach on a scale large enough to create a prevention system that can work effectively.

In Australia, the state of Victoria is the most advanced, with the combination of a statewide, high-risk population, diabetes prevention program (Life! program) combined with an entire population and systems approach across 12 local government areas (Healthy Together Victoria), as well as the LiveLighter campaign to encourage Victorians to live healthier lifestyles.

 

Learning Outcomes

1. Name and describe preventive measures for type 2 diabetes
2. List what needs to change nationwide to support these in the example of the state of Victoria