Diabetes

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Diabetes is a chronic disease marked by high levels of glucose in the blood, caused by the pancreas not producing enough insulin or not being able to use the insulin effectively, or both [1].

There are several types of diabetes. The most frequently occurring are type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) [2]. Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in people aged under 30 years but can develop at any age. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form and is largely preventable by maintaining a healthy lifestyle. GDM is a form of diabetes that can occur in pregnancy [3]. Diabetes can cause life-threatening complications [1], which can occur within months of diagnosis, or may develop over several years [4].

Type 2 diabetes occurs at earlier ages for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people [1] and is often undetected and untreated [5]. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with diabetes tend to have higher levels of risk factors such as smoking [1][6][7] and may show signs of other chronic conditions, including chronic kidney disease (CKD), cardiovascular disease (CVD), liver disease and anaemia [8]. As such, reducing its impact among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is one of the key goals of the Australian national diabetes strategy 2021-2030 [9].