DIABETES IN AUSTRALIA - FACTS AND FIGURES

 

Two hundred and eighty Australians develop diabetes every day. That's one person every five minutes. More than 100,000 Australians have developed diabetes in the past year.

 

Every year there are more than 27,600 hospital admissions in Australia for diabetes related foot ulcers in Australia - many of these end with people having a limb, or part of a limb, amputated.

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There are more than 4,400 amputations every year in Australia as a result of diabetes. Annually, more than 1,700 people with diabetes die as a direct result of foot ulcers and lower limb wounds.

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Diabetes is the fastest growing chronic condition in Australia; increasing at a faster rate than other chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer. All types of diabetes are increasing in prevalence:

* Type 1 diabetes accounts for 10% of all diabetes and is increasing

* Type 2 diabetes accounts for 85% of all diabetes and is increasing

* Gestational diabetes in pregnancy is increasing.

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Experts estimate diabetes related foot disease costs Australia around $43 million every single year. Recent new research suggest investing in evidence-based care including regular screenings and education on the risk of diabetes related foot disease for Australian with diabetic foot ulcers could save around $15 million a year.

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Source: Diabetes Australia website