“The review found that after age-adjustment, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are: more than three times as likely as non-Indigenous people to have diabetes; four times as likely to be hospitalised for diabetes as non-Indigenous people; and that diabetes is the second leading underlying cause of death among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

In addition the evidence shows that competent, culturally appropriate primary health care services can be effective in improving diabetes care and outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.”

 Media Release – latest review confirms high rates of diabetes among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Edith Cowan University’s Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet has released a new review titled Review of diabetes among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The review is part of a series of translational research products produced by the HealthInfoNet to provide up to date information about health conditions affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

HealthInfoNet Director, Professor Neil Drew said ‘Our important work in the area of translational research means that we synthesise current evidence and information into one document and make it freely available on our web resource. This saves busy health professionals and policy maker’s considerable time and provides them with an up to date and comprehensive review of a health topic’.

The review found that after age-adjustment, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are: more than three times as likely as non-Indigenous people to have diabetes; four times as likely to be hospitalised for diabetes as non-Indigenous people; and that diabetes is the second leading underlying cause of death among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The review identified that short-term healthy lifestyle programs designed to prevent type 2 diabetes among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can have positive health effects for up to two years, and are more likely to be effective if they are initiated by the community.

In addition the evidence shows that competent, culturally appropriate primary health care services can be effective in improving diabetes care and outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The Diabetes Australia Action plan (2013) and the new Australian national diabetes strategy 2016-2020 highlight the need for a coordinated national approach to the development of holistic diabetes programs that integrate cultural values and address the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across their lifespan.

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