Know your diabetes risk
Australians need to ‘take the test’ to identify their risk of type 2 diabetes, as a key message of this year’s National Diabetes Week, says Australian General Practice Network (AGPN) chair Dr Emil
Djakic.
Dr Djakic, a Tasmanian GP said there is a simple questionnaire – the AUSDRISK tool – patients can take to identify if they have risk factors associated with developing type 2 diabetes.
“This is a basic screening tool, developed by a well known Australian research company, which you can do at your local practice and identify any red flags to do with age, diet and lifestyle that might increase your risk,” said Dr Djakic.
Identifying at risk patients early can prevent the development of diabetes, one of Australia’s fastest growing chronic disease areas.
Between 1.2 and 1.8 million Australian’s have diabetes, and of these 80 to 85 percent are living with type 2 diabetes, one of the highest figures in the world.
“One of the benefits that tests like AUSDRISK have is that they are able to play a key role in actually preventing people from developing type 2 diabetes.” said Dr Djakic.
If a patient is identified as at risk and is aged between 45 and 49 they may be eligible to join a programme at minimal cost to get help with diet and exercise regimens or quitting smoking, run by
their local general practice network.
Overseas these lifestyle modification programs have shown to reduce the incidence of diabetes by up to 59 percent.
“Diabetes is preventable. It is one of the chronic diseases plaguing our population that, with early action, we can do something about. Diabetes Week is a great opportunity to raise awareness about
the diabetes situation in Australia and what people can do to help turn their diabetes around,” said Dr Djakic.
To see how you measure up and take the diabetes test go to http://www.takethetest.com.au and to find out more information about AGPN’s type 2 diabetes prevention program go to http://www.agpn.com.au
