Prevalence of Diabetes in Australia

National Diabetes Week is a whole week dedicated to increasing public awareness of the seriousness of type 2 diabetes and to draw attention to the increasing number of Australia’s developing the condition.

Diabetes Australia has developed a quirky campaign, using strong images illustrating the irrational fears that many people have, versus the real and hidden threats of diabetes -

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is a form of diabetes that occurs in about 5% of pregnancies and disappears once the baby is born.

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus is:

• More common in women who are over 25 years of age, overweight and have a family history of type 2 diabetes
• Is more common in women who have difficulty brining pregnancy to full term
• Significantly increases the chance of the women to develop type 2 diabetes in the future
• Resolves after the birth of the baby but is associated with a higher risk of diabetes subsequently
• Every year, 20,000 women in Australia develop GDM diabetes during pregnancy
• Requires careful control of blood glucose levels during pregnancy to avoid adverse outcomes in mother and baby

What is pre-diabetes?

Impaired fasting glucose and impaired glucose tolerance are condition where blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough for a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.

Are you at risk?

Early detection is key – Check your risk of type 2 diabetes today Diabetes Australia Risk Calculator