A.C.N. 072 405 139 A.B.N 68 072 405 139
Unit 17K, 2 King Street, Deakin ACT 2600 / PO Box 324, Curtin ACT 2605
Tel: (02) 6232 5480 Fax: (02) 6232 5484
Media Release
August 31, 2009
RURAL HEALTH PRACTITIONERS TO BE UPDATED
ON NEW TYPE 2 DIABETES TREATMENT GUIDELINES
Blood Glucose Levels should be more stringently controlled
Patient Education should be accessible and delivered by multidisciplinary team
Rural and remote health practitioners around Australia will be updated about new treatment
and management guidelines for type 2 diabetes, including more stringent controls of blood
glucose levels and increased access to more comprehensive patient education programs.
The new National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) endorsed Guidelines
match recommended patient treatment with the latest evidence and research and have been
funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.
Chief Executive Officer of the Rural Health Education Foundation, Don Perlgut, says it was
important for the Foundation to produce a series of four programs to communicate the
information to health practitioners throughout rural and remote areas, due to the enormous
impact of diabetes across Australia.
He says: “About 890,000 Australians* are currently diagnosed with diabetes - and for every
person diagnosed, it is estimated there is another who is not yet diagnosed. This means the
total number of Australians with diabetes and pre-diabetes is currently estimated at around 3.2
million*.”
Perlgut says however that: “Despite those figures, up to 60% of cases of type 2 diabetes can
be prevented*, which is why it is crucial to keep all rural and remote health practitioners at the
cutting edge of the most up-to-date information.”
Diabetes expert and Professor of Metabolic Health at the Institute of Obesity, Nutrition and
Exercise at the University of Sydney, Stephen Colagiuri, says the initial program to be
broadcast by the Foundation focuses on two evidence-based clinical guidelines relating
specifically to Blood Glucose Control and Patient Education.
He says:” Since the first Guidelines were introduced in 1999, more evidence has emerged
which will improve the way in which patients can be treated – leading to a more customised
approach which has been incorporated into these new Guidelines.”
Colagiuri explains: “In relation to the critical element of blood glucose control, not only have
there been considerable advances in type 2 diabetes medications but numerous studies have
also shown that if those levels are more stringently controlled, it can significantly reduce the
risk of both microvascular and macrovascular complications.
A.C.N. 072 405 139 A.B.N 68 072 405 139
Unit 17K, 2 King Street, Deakin ACT 2600 / PO Box 324, Curtin ACT 2605
Tel: (02) 6232 5480 Fax: (02) 6232 5484
-2-
If type 2 diabetes patients can be made aware of this information through their health
practitioner as part of their treatment, they will be better equipped to manage their condition.”
In relation to patient education for type 2 diabetes, Colagiuri says there is now a more
comprehensive range of specialist services which can be accessed by people, including those
in regional areas.
He says: "There are some vital services now available through Medicare that will form a
valuable part of both initial and ongoing patient education on type 2 diabetes.
It is also evident that patient education should be delivered, where possible, by a
multidisciplinary team and should include a component on physical activity as well as
encouragement for patients to participate in goal setting and decision making.”
The series of four programs will be satellite broadcast and web-cast by the Rural Health
Education Foundation on the new type 2 diabetes treatment guidelines
-
providing
an
educational
package for all rural and remote health practitioners which includes key practice
points and goals for patient treatment.
The series
will air between September and November 2009 with each program covering
specific sections of the guidelines.
Each
broadcast
will include live panel discussions
with leading clinicians in the area of
diabetes as well as
filmed case studies
which showcase innovative approaches to best
practice prevention, diagnosis and management of type 2 diabetes.
The first program will focus on the two guidelines involving blood glucose control and patient
education and will be broadcast to rural health professionals on September 8. Other programs
will include guidelines focusing on diabetic retinopathy; chronic kidney disease; case detection
and diagnosis; primary prevention; and diabetes in relation to Indigenous Australians.
Released for the Rural Health Education Foundation by Kardan Consulting
For further media information please contact:
Karen Bristow on (02) 9967 3245 and 0414 320 146 or karen@kardan.com.au
Diabetes Expert Professor Stephen Colagiuri is available for interviews; and
CEO of the Rural Health Education Foundation, Don Perlgut is available for interviews
in relation to the work of the Foundation.
* All figures quoted from Diabetes Australia
ABOUT THE RURAL HEALTH EDUCATION FOUNDATION
The Rural Health Education Foundation is the premier body for the continuing education of rural and
remote health practitioners around Australia.
A not-for-profit independent organisation, the Foundation provides quality broadcast television programs
through part funding from the Australian Department of Health and Ageing and the voluntary participation
of Australia’s leading medical experts.
Professionals can access these programs via satellite television, the internet as web-cast, web-streamed
or podcast resources, on DVD and other television broadcast services.
A.C.N. 072 405 139 A.B.N 68 072 405 139
Unit 17K, 2 King Street, Deakin ACT 2600 / PO Box 324, Curtin ACT 2605
Tel: (02) 6232 5480 Fax: (02) 6232 5484
DIABETES FACT SHEET
(Source: Diabetes Australia)
WHAT IS DIABETES
Diabetes is a chronic disease. This means that it lasts for a long time, often for someone's
whole life.
For our bodies to work properly we need to convert glucose (sugar) from food into energy. A
hormone called insulin is essential for the conversion of glucose into energy. In people with
diabetes, insulin is no longer produced or not produced in sufficient amounts by the body.
TYPE 2 DIABETES
Type 2 is the most common form of diabetes, affecting 85-90% of all people with diabetes.
While it usually affects older adults, more and more younger people, even children, are getting
type 2 diabetes.
In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas makes some insulin but it is not produced in the amount your
body needs and it does not work effectively.
Type 2 diabetes results from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Although
there is a strong genetic predisposition, the risk is greatly increased when associated with
lifestyle factors such as high blood pressure, overweight or obesity, insufficient physical
activity, poor diet and the classic ‘apple shape’ body where extra weight is carried around the
waist.
While there is currently no cure for type 2 diabetes, the disease can be managed through
lifestyle modifications and medication.
CAUSE OF TYPE 2 DIABETES
While there is no single cause of type 2 diabetes, there are well-established risk factors. Some
of these can be changed and some cannot. You are at a higher risk of getting type 2 diabetes
if you:
have a family history of diabetes
are older (over 55 years of age ) - the risk increases as we age
are over 45 years of age and are overweight
are over 45 years of age and have high blood pressure
are over 35 years of age and are from an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
background
are over 35 years of age and are from Pacific Island, Indian subcontient or
Chinese cultural background
are a women who has given birth to a child over 4.5 kgs (9 lbs), or had
gestational diabetes when pregnant, or had a condition known as Polycystic
Ovarian Syndrome.
A.C.N. 072 405 139 A.B.N 68 072 405 139
Unit 17K, 2 King Street, Deakin ACT 2600 / PO Box 324, Curtin ACT 2605
Tel: (02) 6232 5480 Fax: (02) 6232 5484
SYMPTOMS OF TYPE 2 DIABETES
In type 2 diabetes, many people have no symptoms at all, while other signs are dismissed as
a part of ‘getting older’. By the time type 2 diabetes is diagnosed, the complications of
diabetes may already be present. Symptoms include:
Being excessively thirsty
Passing more urine
Feeling tired and lethargic
Always feeling hungry
Having cuts that heal slowly
Itching, skin infections
Blurred vision
Gradually putting on weight
Mood swings
Headaches
Feeling dizzy
Leg cramps
PREVENTING TYPE 2 DIABETES
It is estimated that up to 60% of type 2 diabetes can be prevented. People at risk of type 2
diabetes can delay and even prevent this disease by following a healthy lifestyle. This
includes:
Maintaining a healthy weight
Regular physical activity
Making healthy food choices
Managing blood pressure
Managing cholesterol levels
Not smoking.
Released for the Rural Health Education Foundation by Kardan Consulting
For further media information please contact:
Karen Bristow on (02) 9967 3245 or 0414 320 146
STATISTICS ON DIABETES
275 Australians develop diabetes every day.
Diabetes is Australia’s fastest growing chronic disease.
About 890,000 Australians are currently diagnosed with diabetes. For every person
diagnosed, it is estimated that there is another who is not yet diagnosed; a total of
about 1.7 million people.
The total number of Australians with diabetes and pre-diabetes is estimated at 3.2
million.
As the sixth leading cause of death in Australia, it is critical we take action.
Up to 60% of cases of type 2 diabetes can be prevented.
NEWS 
