Recent research from the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute reveals a notable decline in the incidence of type 2 diabetes among Australian adults since 2010. However, this positive trend does not extend to Australians born in Asia, North Africa, the Middle East, and the Pacific Islands, who are experiencing an increase in diabetes rates.
Published in the Medical Journal of Australia, the study indicates that while the overall incidence of type 2 diabetes fell across various demographics—age, gender, socio-economic status, and geographical location—specific ethnic groups showed a worrying rise in cases.
Professor Dianna Magliano, head of the Diabetes and Population Health Lab at the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute and lead author of the study, emphasized the need for targeted prevention strategies to address these disparities. “While it is encouraging to see a reduction in the overall incidence of type 2 diabetes in Australia, we must recognize that over 30% of our population is born overseas,” she stated. “This calls for comprehensive strategies that consider the differing risks associated with culturally and linguistically diverse communities.”
The decline in diabetes rates aligns with trends seen in several other high-income nations, according to Professor Magliano. Conversely, the increase in diabetes prevalence among Australians from specific regions mirrors rising rates in their countries of origin, particularly in the Pacific Islands, Middle East, and South Asia.
Several factors may contribute to the overall decrease in type 2 diabetes cases in Australia. Professor Magliano noted that some of the diabetes prevention initiatives implemented in the country have likely spurred behavioral and environmental changes that positively impact diabetes incidence. For instance, there has been a reported decline in the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages.
Additionally, the shift from using oral glucose tolerance tests to HbA1c assessments for diabetes screening may also play a role in this downward trend.
The Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute is part of the Alfred Alliance in Diabetes and has actively participated in discussions regarding diabetes management in Australia. In July, the House Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care, and Sport released a report on diabetes in the country, which included 23 recommendations focusing on prevention and raising awareness about significant risk factors associated with the disease.
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