Diabetes indicators in Australia

Diabetes has increased significantly among the Australian population over the past 20 years, however the rate of diabetes-related deaths is falling, according to a report by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), Diabetes Indicators in Australia. The report shows the prevalence of diabetes in the Australian population increased from 1.5% to 4.1% over the 20 years to 2007-08.  However, diabetes-related deaths dropped by 18% between 1997 and 2007 and hospitalisations for lower limb amputations among people with diabetes have also been falling.

The report further shows that the rate of diabetes among Indigenous Australians was more than 3 times that of non-Indigenous Australians, and Indigenous Australians had higher rates of diabetes-related deaths than the general population. The prevalence of diabetes was also slightly higher among those born overseas and people living in regional and remote areas.

The AIHW has also released a new diabetes dashboard, providing easily accessible and navigable facts and figures on diabetes.