Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) is one of the biggest challenges currently faced by Australia’s health care system, with more than one million Australians living with T2D.

T2D is an international issue with, approximately 340 million people impacted by T2D worldwide. This figure is growing by the hour. Labelled the ‘epidemic of the 21^stcentury’, diabetes is a serious condition that needs to be monitored and managed daily, and one that, without proper management, can cause people to experience complications including heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, poor circulation leading to amputation, depression, anxiety and even loss of sight.

What causes Diabetes?

Despite the number of people affected by diabetes in Australia and around the world, we are still searching for answers when it comes to its causes.

T2D is often described as a ‘lifestyle disease’, and has been directly linked to poor diet and limited physical activity, as well as a possible family link T2D , is a progressive condition which sees the body gradually become resistant to the normal effects of insulin, or lose the capacity to produce enough insulin. T2D may remain undiagnosed for many years. In the early stages of the disease, treatment is focused on lifestyle changes, with improved diet and exercise, weight loss and quitting smoking top of the list.

Risk factors for developing T2D include being overweight or obese, having a family history of diabetes (any type), being over 45 years old, having high blood pressure, and a poor diet and limited physical activity.

Genetics also play a role, with people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Pacific Islander, Chinese or Indian backgrounds having a higher propensity for developing T2D.

What are we doing to put the brakes on this epidemic?

I’m happy to report that we’re making headway, with more ground-breaking work throughout 2017. This year I have been heavily involved in securing philanthropic support for a range of vital medical research projects and it has been wonderful to see that Australia is at forefront of research into the causes of, prevention of, and treatments for, diabetes.

While we have a long way to go, there is a positive feeling that the researchers are on the right track to slow and eventually halting the epidemic of diabetes in Australia, and around the world.

To mark World Diabetes Day, held on the 14^th November each year, I encourage you to complete this Diabetes Risk Calculator developed by Diabetes Australia to determine your own risk of developing diabetes. Always see your doctor if you have any concerns – early identification of T2D can mean that the condition can be reversed with diet and lifestyle changes, before it puts other aspects of your health at risk.