Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is a condition in which the body gradually loses the ability to produce enough insulin in the pancreas to manage blood glucose levels [46617].

The exact cause of type 2 diabetes is unknown, however, it has strong genetic, family-related and age risk factors [46617]. Factors that can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes include an unhealthy diet, a lack of exercise and being overweight. The condition can develop over years and many people will not have symptoms, which can delay diagnosis. For some people, complications may already be present.

Common symptoms of type 2 diabetes can include, but are not limited to:

increased thirst
passing more urine
feeling tired and lethargic
always feeling hungry
gradual weight gain/loss
blurred vision
wounds that heal slowly [46617][47945].

Type 2 diabetes is increasingly being diagnosed in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, adolescents and young adults [44185][49259]. Initiatives such as the ‘Doing it Together’ program, works with young people with type 2 diabetes in the Big Rivers region of the NT. The program aims to develop innovative, strengths based, culturally appropriate peer-support and peer-led education to address key issues including isolation, stigma and shame associated with having diabetes.

Reducing the impact of diabetes among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is one of the key goals of the Australian national diabetes strategy 2021-2030 [44185]. Areas for action include:

increasing awareness of type 2 diabetes with culturally appropriate services and programs, with an emphasis on youth type 2 diabetes
designing and delivering diabetes prevention and management programs via partnerships with communities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community controlled health services.