Diabetes Australia welcomes Coalition Health Policy focus on a better response to the rising diabetes epidemic
The Coalition commitment announced today to support the development of a National Diabetes Strategy and continue the universal access to products and support through the National Diabetes Services Scheme was welcomed by Diabetes Australia CEO, Professor Greg Johnson.
“Over 1.5 million Australians currently have diabetes, another 280 people develop diabetes every day” said Prof Johnson, “We desperately need a National Diabetes Strategy plan with focus, targets and resources applied – so the Coalition diabetes policy commitments are very welcome.”
“Making diabetes prevention and management a clear clinical priority in the primary care system; creating a more coordinated approach to tackling the diabetes epidemic; and bringing together Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments and peak organisations, including Diabetes Australia, to prioritise our response through prevention strategies, early detection, early interventions, management and treatment are all strongly supported by Diabetes Australia” said Prof Johnson.
Diabetes Australia also welcomed the recognition of type 1 diabetes and the Coalition’s commitment to provide young Australians with much earlier access to innovative new treatments and technologies. ”New technologies like insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitoring can be life changing and potentially life saving for some people with type 1 diabetes” said Prof Johnson
“The ongoing commitment to universal access for all Australians with diabetes to self-management products and support through the National Diabetes Services Scheme is very important to the 1.5 million Australians who have to live with the cost and burden on daily self-monitoring and management of diabetes” he said.
The policy focus on the more than 2 million Australians with pre-diabetes and who are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes was also welcomed. “There will be a need for new investment in a National Diabetes Prevention Program and we would have liked to see a commitment to some new funding for prevention” said Prof Johnson” but we look forward to working with a Coalition government, if elected, and implementing proven strategies for prevention in this high risk group at a national level.
Diabetes Australia also supported the $35million over five years to help find a cure for Type 1 diabetes through the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Clinical Research Network.
Professor Johnson said that Diabetes Australia was looking forward to seeing the diabetes policy announcements from other major parties including Labor and The Greens.
Diabetes Australia is the national body for people affected by all types of diabetes and those at risk, and is committed to reducing the impact of diabetes working in partnership with consumers, health professionals and researchers.
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