Type 2 Diabetes In Australia Essay

Healthcare in Australia is comprehensively and universally one of the best in the world, due to its accessibility for individuals throughout the nation. However approximately 50% or 11.4 million Australians suffer from a chronic disease which is currently the leading cause of death in Australia (Victoria University Melbourne Australia, 2019). One commonly diagnosed chronic disease is type 2 diabetes (T2D), which currently affects 1.5 million Australians to date (Diabetes Australia, 2023). However, statistics show that due to the ongoing rates of T2D diagnosis, approximately 3.1 million Australians could endure this disease by the year 2050 (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2023). This estimated number is over 50% bigger than the

This government funded organisation helps people to further understand and manage their lives with diabetes (Department of Health and Aged Care, 2021). Chronic diseases is Australia’s leading burden in health facilities, with approximately 3 of the $6 billion expenses covered by the government used for diabetes treatments. Specifically, $1.9 billion of the $3 billion is allocated to t2D in comparison to the $321 million allocated to type 1 diabetes (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2023). I believe that if organizations like NDSS create mobile apps for individuals to develop personal skills can decrease the rate of T2D. By delivering accessible support services for Australians, the more we can help raise awareness to the whole nation on the risks and preventable measure people can take. I believe, that by utilizing technology, specifically apps, we can help raise more awareness and reach more individuals around the nation to take preventative measures for T2D. Creating an app to improve people’s diets and lifestyle choices to prevent the development of T2D, is more accessible for individuals, especially rural communities with limited access to healthcare. Due to NDSS being supported by the government costs for the app would be covered and would attract more people due to the

Due to the rapid development of urban areas in Australia, access to healthy lifestyles has become a significant issue in the increasing rate of obesity and T2D (Gassasse, et al., 2022). Studies have found that the prevalence of T2D within those who live in remote areas have a 6% higher risk of T2D in comparison to people in urban areas with 4.5% (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2020). This is due to urban areas having easier access to supportive environments, better health care services, education and healthier options for food stores. The lack of supportive environments in rural areas decreases the community’s physical activeness, which long-term can increase the risk of T2D. Communities with access to more green spaces have a lower risk of developing T2D due to their better physical lifestyles and quick accessible health facilities. I believe that if we as a rural community use more of our green spaces to hold fun runs, community physical activity sessions, hold more healthy eating and cooking programs for all ages, then would our health improve. However, I also believe that the Local Government and rural Councils can further improve their roles and responsibilities by creating supportive environments by building more green spaces like parks, playgrounds, and community gardens to encourage everyone in the community to live healthily. Councils