A groundbreaking study by the University of Sydney suggests that the number of Australians living with diabetes could be as much as 35% higher than current estimates. This new data raises critical concerns about the extent of one of the nation’s most prevalent chronic health conditions.
The research, published in Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, utilized an advanced algorithm to analyze integrated health data from Medicare, hospital records, and pharmaceutical claims. The findings indicate that over two million Australians may be living with diabetes, many of whom are absent from official diabetes registries.
Dr. Emma Cox, a PhD candidate at the Leeder Centre for Health Policy, Economics, and Data, led the study. She emphasized the broader implications of the findings, noting that the research uncovers a more extensive and diverse group of people affected by diabetes—especially older Australians, residents in remote areas, and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
“This isn’t just a data issue, it’s a public health issue,” Dr. Cox said. “A significant number of Australians are not represented in national statistics, which complicates our ability to plan services, allocate funding, and implement effective prevention strategies.”
Partially funded by a 2017 Diabetes Australia Research Trust grant, the study calls attention to the longstanding need for better integration of health data to accurately assess the burden of chronic diseases in the country.
Professor Grant Brinkworth, Director of Research at Diabetes Australia, called the findings a “compelling call to action.” He stated, “This study confirms what many of us in the sector have known for years: the true scale of diabetes in Australia is not fully understood.”
The study also uncovered that a significant number of individuals with diabetes are managing their condition through lifestyle changes or medications such as metformin, groups who are less likely to register with the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS). These individuals, though managing their health, remain invisible in both policy and funding decisions.
“The lack of visibility in the data means these people are effectively invisible in terms of policy and resource allocation,” Professor Brinkworth added.
The findings highlight the urgent need for improved screening, earlier diagnosis, and greater integration within the healthcare system to ensure that every person living with diabetes is counted, supported, and properly resourced.
Diabetes Australia has pledged to collaborate with the Australian Government and healthcare sector to eliminate barriers to registration and ensure timely enrollment in the NDSS, which would enable more accurate data reporting and better allocation of resources.
Related topics:
Rising Threat of Diabetes-Linked Vision Loss: Experts Urge Inclusion in Ayushman Bharat Scheme
Are Emulsifiers in Your Food Putting Your Health at Risk?
The Diabetes-Alzheimer’s Connection: A New Frontier in Brain Health
