Diabetes Australia

Things you love to see. April Welsh, diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of three, knows the life changing impact of diabetes technology. It’s helped her chase her dreams and compete professionally in motorsport, racing in Formula Vee in WA. On Thursday we got to spend time with April as she met with a group of children newly diagnosed with type 1 who are just starting out on their journey with diabetes tech. Big thanks to at Rio Tinto Children's Diabetes Centre based at Perth Children's Hospital and Telethon Kids Institute for hosting us. #NationalDiabetesWeek #NDW24 #UniteForTech April Welsh Rio Tinto Children's Diabetes Centre perth childrens hospital pch Perth Children's Hospital Foundation Australian Diabetes Society Australian Diabetes Educators Association

We’re uniting with Dexter. “I have been using a pump for nearly three years. Using a pump means I don't have to give myself a needle every time I want to eat. It also means I can be more independent from my parents. Now I know a bit more about how to use my pump I can spend time at friends’ houses and go on school camps, all without having to worry about the needles, safety of needles, and the injections. At the moment I can have a pump because of Mum and Dad’s health insurance (which is in excess of $600 per month). Sometimes I worry about what kind of job I will get because if I don’t get a good job I won’t be able to afford the insurance I need for a pump. If the government make accessing a pump more affordable I can grow up confident that I will have the option to choose the best care for myself, the care I want, whether it be needles or pump therapy. I also know lots of DiaBuddies who can't afford insurance and don't have a pump. It would be nice if they got access to one too.” Read more about Dexter’s story: https://ow.ly/bUYs50SFMuT

New research shows CGM devices can dramatically reduce the risk of life-threatening diabetes-related complications including blindness, cardiovascular disease and kidney failure for people living with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Australia Chief Medical Officer Professor David Simmons is a co-author on the research which studied people with type 2 diabetes on intensive insulin therapy in Australia. The analysis shows CGM would significantly reduce eye, renal, neuropathy, and cardiovascular complications of the condition by 17.7, 21.1, 8.7 and 2.5 per cent respectively. Expanding access and making CGM more affordable for Australians like John Davies, who lives with type 2 diabetes, makes sense. It's changed his life and will change the lives of many more. Read more about the new research and John's story: https://ow.ly/e8ZI50SGsh3 Justine Cain Taryn Black Jan Ridd Rowan Clifford Karen Adamedes Hayley Gould Emily Wooden Hannah Jackson Monica Rostron Laura Fraser Hardy Tim Perry David Simmons Grant Brinkworth Colin Baillie OAM #NationalDiabetesWeek #NDW24 #UniteForTech

POSITION STATEMENT EXPLAINED To kick-off National Diabetes Week, we released a new policy paper calling on the government to make life changing technology more affordable for people living with all types of diabetes. Why? Because right now in Australia, access to diabetes technology isn’t fair and equitable. While some Australians living with diabetes can access technologies such as continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices and insulin pumps, they are just too expensive for many people. In the paper, we have outlined the steps needed to create more affordable access to CGM devices and insulin pumps for people with all types of diabetes, including economic modelling that shows a $200 million package of investment would support nearly 40,000 people living with diabetes to access these technologies, prioritising those with the greatest need. We recognise that funding for subsidies to improve access will likely need to be delivered in a staged approach over time. So we are recommending key priority groups in the first instance, with further expansion in the future. We’re also recommending changes to the way diabetes technologies are assessed and approved in Australia and investment in the diabetes workforce to support people living with diabetes get the most out of technology. Download the Position Statement to learn more: https://ow.ly/3l6550SFVCx

Big thanks to PDC Health Hub by Perth Diabetes Care for hosting a brilliant National Diabetes Week event this morning and helping us cap off an amazing week on the road. This morning we were able to take part in a roundtable where we heard from more people about how much fair and equitable access to technology would mean to them. All part of the national conversation that will continue well beyond National Diabetes Week. Justine Cain Taryn Black Lauren Cusack Teresa Di Franco Jeffery Au Laura Fraser Hardy Hannah Jackson Tim Perry #NationalDiabetesWeek #NDW24 #UniteForTech

We’re fighting for Phoebe. “I know there is technology available that would be greatly beneficial to my daily life, but the cost of type 1 diabetes is high enough already without having to try and find money for devices. Not having affordable access to technology has placed a huge burden on my mental health as I am always thinking about how to manage my diabetes. This includes having to inject myself with insulin multiple times a day, even when out in public, and going to the restrooms to inject so I don't offend anyone. If the government made access more affordable, I would feel so much more supported.” Read more about Phoebe’s story: https://ow.ly/iJYB50SFMsW

As a pensioner, Cheryl can only afford to wear a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) device for two weeks every three to four months. “I would dearly love to be able to wear a CGM 365 days per year.” Cheryl is concerned that without affordable access to a CGM, she is unable to keep her blood glucose within the target range, which gives her the best chance of preventing complications. “I've been trying for ten years, and it's just not possible without the CGM.” While CGM devices are now subsidised for all people with type 1 diabetes, they are not funded for people who live with type 2 diabetes, including people who use insulin like Cheryl. This is not equitable. With Cheryl, we are raising our voice and fighting for change. Let’s unite in the fight for fair and equitable access to diabetes tech. Watch Cheryl’s full story here: https://lnkd.in/gs2j2fVd #NationalDiabetesWeek #NDW24 #UniteForTech

It’s vital that more be done to expand affordable access to CGM devices for people with type 2 and other types of diabetes – especially the most vulnerable. Sadly, the diabetes epidemic is having a profound impact in Aboriginal and Torries Strait Islander communities and there is an urgent need to bring about change. That’s why we’re calling on the government to support access to this life-changing diabetes technology for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. CGM devices have proven to be incredibly effective, especially for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living with diabetes however, they aren’t subsidised, and are out of reach for many people who can’t afford them. Read more: https://ow.ly/zeIl50SFFE9 Justine Cain Ray Kelly Marrin Weejali Aboriginal Corporation Taryn Black Rowan Clifford Karen Adamedes Jan Ridd Emily Wooden Hayley Gould Hannah Jackson Monica Rostron Laura Fraser Hardy Tim Perry

This afternoon we had the privilege of hanging out with these little legends at Rio Tinto Children's Diabetes Centre based at Perth Children’s Hospital and Telethon Kids Institute. These children, just starting out on their journey with type 1 diabetes, got to meet April Welsh. April competes professionally in motorsport, racing in Formula Vee, and also lives with type 1. April was diagnosed at the age of three, and at age six was approved by the TGA to be the youngest recipient of insulin pump therapy in Australia. This proved to be life changing for her. And she shared her experience today with these children as they start their journey with diabetes technology. We want all children in Australia to be able to access insulin pumps which is why we’ve recommended full subsidy in our Position Statement released on Sunday. It’s all about ensuring children with type 1 diabetes can thrive and live out their dreams. Justine Cain Taryn Black Rowan Clifford Jan Ridd Emily Wooden Karen Adamedes Hayley Gould Laura Fraser Hardy Tim Perry Hannah Jackson Monica Rostron #NationalDiabetesWeek #NDW24 #UniteForTech

Rachel and her partner spent almost a decade of planning, preparing, and focusing on her diabetes management to reach a place where they felt comfortable trying for a baby. Having an insulin pump and CGM device played a critical role in her journey to parenthood. “My diabetes wasn't as stressful as it could have been thanks to the technology.” After welcoming her second child, Rachel enrolled at Western Sydney University to complete a PhD that looks at lived experiences of diabetes and pregnancy. “Currently if you have type 1 diabetes, you can access the subsidised continuous glucose monitoring technology to help you with planning a pregnancy. At this stage, if you have any other type of diabetes, you don't have access to this subsidy. And it's really inequitable.” Through her research, Rachel is committed to helping people with all types of diabetes have a healthy pregnancy like she was able to experience thanks to technology. With Rachel, we are raising our voice and fighting for change. Let’s unite in the fight for fair and equitable access to diabetes tech. Watch Rachel’s full story here: https://lnkd.in/gFwfgCr8 #NationalDiabetesWeek #NDW24 #UniteForTech