Media Release
Under embargo until 14 September 2009
Media enquiries:
Lyn Curtis, Communications Manager
(03) 9667 1714 or 0411 019 924
lcurtis@diabetesvic.org.au
All councils urged to put diabetes on the agenda
Diabetes Australia – Vic is urging all local governments to make diabetes prevention a strategic
planning priority.
New figures released today reveal that the number of people with diabetes in Victoria has more than
doubled since 2001.
Three quarters of the increase in numbers of diabetes has been with people over 50 years of age.
The Diabetes Epidemic mapping campaign shows that 41 of Victoria’s 79 Local Government Areas
are ‘hotspots’ for diabetes, which is a dramatic increase on only four hotspots in 2001.
While regional areas recorded the largest growth in diabetes, the majority of new cases were found in
high-density metropolitan areas of Victoria.
DA–Vic Director of Programs Dr Ralph Audehm said, “Diabetes is serious and local governments can
no longer afford to ignore the impact that this epidemic is having on their communities. We urge
Mayors and CEOs to put diabetes prevention strategies on their agendas.”
Diabetes can cause serious health complications including heart attack, stroke, blindness and kidney
damage, however the onset of type 2 diabetes can be prevented with healthy eating, physical activity
and by maintaining a healthy weight.
Lord Mayor Robert Doyle said Melbourne was one of the most liveable cities in the world due to the
abundance of healthy lifestyle activities available to those who live, work and visit the city.
“Key to the future liveability of our great city is ensuring that we continue to create opportunities for
people to exercise and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
“Good planning and development, access to our many sports and recreation facilities, and an
extensive network of paths for pedestrians and bicycles, are just a few examples of ways that Council
is seeking to promote an active, healthy lifestyle," the Lord Mayor said.
DA–Vic recommends all other local governments prioritise the needs of pedestrians, cyclists and
public transport users with town planning that increases physical activity opportunities, and makes
walking and cycling more accessible and safer for all members of the community as Melbourne has
done.
“If left unchecked, diabetes in these epidemic proportions has the potential to create a health care
crisis with additional pressure on services and an increasingly unhealthy population,” Dr Audehm said.
The Diabetes Epidemic mapping campaign will also encourage residents to increase their personal
physical activity levels and help them to advocate for activity-friendly local communities.
Diabetes Australia – Vic is the peak consumer body and leading charity representing all people
affected by diabetes and those at risk.
Top four hotspots by prevalence (% of residents with diabetes):
Key facts:
36 of the 41 (88%) ‘hotspots’ are regional LGAs
More than one in ten Loddon residents has diabetes
Brimbank has 9681 people with diabetes, the most of any LGA
In Brimbank there are 2 new cases every day
LGAs with greatest change in prevalence ranking:
METRO
REGIONAL
Key facts:
38 LGAs fell in prevalence ranking
5 LGAs remained unchanged in prevalence ranking
36 LGAs rose in prevalence ranking
LGAs with greatest increase in people with diabetes:
Key facts:
The amount of people with diabetes increased twofold or greater (100% or more) in 51 LGAs
Wangaratta recording the smallest increase with 70%
METRO (2008 ranking)
REGIONAL (2008 ranking)
Brimbank (15)
5.35%
Loddon (1)
10.32%
Hobsons Bay (23)
4.86%
Pyrenees (2)
9.51%
Moreland (32)
4.54%
Moyne (3)
8.94%
Melton (33)
4.51%
Baw Baw (4)
7.59%
Rise in ranking (2008 ranking)
Fall in ranking (2008 ranking)
Whittlesea (46)
13places
Melbourne (75)
29 places
Hume (54)
7 places
Melton (33)
24 places
Hobsons Bay (23)
6 places
Wyndham (64)
19 places
Yarra Ranges (60)
6 places
Glen Eira (55)
16 places
Rise in ranking (2008 ranking)
Fall in ranking (2008 ranking)
Horsham (50)
24 places
Wangaratta (26)
14 places
Central Goldfields (29)
22 places
Southern Grampians (31)
14 places
West Wimmera (9)
17 places
Colac Otway (18)
8 places
Buloke (20)
16 places
Greater Geelong (40)
8 places
METRO
REGIONAL
Melton
161%
Horsham
190%
Whittlesea
159%
Mildura
183%
Casey
146%
Macedon Ranges
141%
Hume
145%
Central Goldfields
139%
Diabetes Epidemic mapping campaign
People who have been diagnosed with diabetes register on the National Diabetes Services Scheme
(NDSS) which is an Australian Government initiative. The number of people in Victoria with diabetes
(including type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes and other less common forms of
diabetes) at 30 June 2001 and 2008 were extracted from the NDSS database for each Victorian Local
Government Area (LGA).
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2001 Census data was used to obtain resident population
estimates for each LGA at June 2001 and June 2008.
Diabetes prevalence in each LGA was calculated by dividing the number of people registered as
having diabetes in each LGA by the estimated population of that LGA. LGAs were then ranked
according to their estimated prevalence (percentage of population with diabetes) for each of the years
in question.
About diabetes
In people with diabetes, blood glucose levels are higher than normal because the body does not
produce enough insulin and / or cannot use insulin properly. Insulin is a hormone needed for glucose
to enter the cells and be converted to energy. There are two main types of diabetes—type 1 and type
2.
Type 2 diabetes, previously known as adult-onset diabetes, is a chronic disease that occurs when the
pancreas does not produce enough insulin (or the insulin is not working properly). Type 2 diabetes
represents 85–90% of all cases of diabetes in Australia.
Type 1 diabetes, previously known as juvenile-onset diabetes, is an autoimmune condition whereby
the pancreas ceases to produce insulin because the cells that make insulin have been destroyed by
the body’s own immune system. It is not related to lifestyle factors. Approximately 10–15 % of all
people with diabetes have type 1 and while it can affect people of any age, the onset of type 1
diabetes usually occurs in children and young adults.
Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy and goes away after the baby is born. In Australia three
to eight per cent of pregnant women are diagnosed with gestational diabetes.
Diabetes Australia – Vic
Diabetes Australia – Vic is the peak consumer body and leading charity representing all people
affected by diabetes and those at risk.
NEWS 
