When there is a fire or a medical emergency, we immediately call triple zero. All resources are deployed to ensure the situation is brought under control and the people in harms way receive the care they need. But when it comes to chronic disease, particularly preventable illness, more often than not we bury our heads in the sand. It is easy to ignore the symptoms, until they can no longer be ignored. This is especially the case when it comes to "silent" killers.
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The World Health Organisation named noncommunicable diseases, such as diabetes, among the top 10 threats to global health in 2019. The number of adults living with diabetes worldwide has almost quadrupled since 1980, to 422 million. It is Australia's fastest growing chronic condition and in Tasmania, the number of people living with undiagnosed type 2 diabetes is estimated to be around 12,000.
Even more concerning, a recent survey from Melbourne's Austin Health found that 62 per cent of its patients aged over 40 were not concerned about developing type 2 diabetes. A survey by Diabetes Australia also found that when it came to life priorities, people placed relationships, money, caring for dependents, freedom to travel and persuing hobbies (in that order), above preventing type 2 diabetes.
So despite the statistics, despite the obvious burden chronic illness is placing on our already stretched health system, the complacency around conditions like diabetes remains stronger than ever before. But why? Chances are you know someone living with diabetes. It is a complicated condition and the consequences of poor management are devastating - blindness, kidney failure, stroke and heart attack - just to name a few. It is a health epidemic.
The Examiner has been sharing the stories of Northern Tasmanians as part of National Diabetes Week. But the message must go far beyond this week - particularly if it's not getting through. If we don't make health, particularly preventative health, a priority then we will continue to be burdened by poor outcomes. After all, it will be difficult to enjoy time with our family, to travel and pursue our hobbies, if we are unwell.
Jessica Willard
Being a health reporter to me is about more than just reporting the problems. It's about asking why they are happening in the first place and what needs to change to fix it.
Being a health reporter to me is about more than just reporting the problems. It's about asking why they are happening in the first place and what needs to change to fix it.
