Time For Change

Lack of community education and information about type 2 is leading to discrimination, writes Sherl Westlund, a director of Diabetes Research WA

- Sherl Westlund

An estimated 1 million Australian adults (that’s 1 in 20 of us) were living with type 2 diabetes in 2014–15. And globally, according to the International Diabetes Federation, it’s estimated 425 million people had diabetes in 2017, and this figure is expected to increase to 693 million by 2040. With the cost of all forms of diabetes in Australia estimated at $14.6 billion each year, it’s clearly in everyone’s best interests to find an effective solution to stopping the soaring rates of type 2 diabetes.

The discrimination that exists against people with type 2 diabetes relates to the belief that it is solely linked to obesity and lifestyle issues brought about by an unhealthy diet and lack of exercise. It’s because of this that many in the community believe the solution is as simple as telling people with diabetes to lose weight and get fit. This approach essentially blames those with the condition for creating their own situation – and leaves them feeling unfairly judged and powerless.

IGNORANCE LEADS TO SHAME GAME

The recently released Amcal 2018 Diabetes Care Review found that more than a quarter (27 per cent) of Australians surveyed believed diabetes to be a self-inflicted disease and 1 in 7 believed diabetes was largely avoidable through simple lifestyle changes. It also found that 1 in 3 of those with diabetes surveyed said feelings of embarrassment and guilt for being made to feel they brought the condition on themselves were key reasons they had not spoken out and sought the emotional support they needed.