Diabetes in Australia to double

Report estimates 1 in 7 will have diabetes by 2050

 The National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling is predicting that the prevalence of type 2 diabetes will almost double in the next 40 years to 1.6 million people – by which time the disease will be costing Aus$14 billion per year. Complications arising from the disease are forecast to include: 270,000 coronary bypass operations, over 250,000 strokes and over 750,000 kidney complaints.

The report also assesses ways of controlling the increase in the disease (and the associated costs), including prompt investment in large-scale programmes to combat the disease on multiple fronts. It says that implementing effective measures now could go a long way in containing the spread of the disease in the future.

The report was compiled with the assistance of seven organisations, including the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Diabetes Australia and the Pharmacy Guild. It was commissioned by Eli Lilly, which has led some to question its impartiality – but the report has been strongly supported by Professor Laurie Brown, NATSEM’s research director (health), who said that any perception that the report was tainted was ‘without foundation’.

Sources: Sydney Morning Herald and The Australian, 27 October 2009.

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