‘Invisible condition’ in spotlight

Rural Northwest Health is joining forces with Diabetes Victoria for National Diabetes Week this week and calling on the community to learn more about the ‘invisible condition’.

Rural Northwest Health diabetes Leanne Huebner said diabetes was more and more people every day.

“People with diabetes look like everybody else – they come in all shapes, sizes, ages, gender identities and ethnicities,” she said.

“You cannot see if somebody has diabetes, nor can you tell which type of diabetes they have.”

Every day, more than 80 people in Victoria develop diabetes and, of those, the majority have type two diabetes – which is often linked to lifestyle issues such as a poor diet and a lack of regular exercise. Just as concerning, one in every four Victorians over the age of 25 is directly impacted in some way by this condition, however, they might be unaware.

The theme of Diabetes Victoria’s new digital educator affecting awareness campaign is ‘invisible condition’, highlighting that diabetes does not discriminate and that it is too important to ignore.

The campaign encourages communities to make their mark with their local member of parliament by signing an online petition to increase funding for diabetes research.

Diabetes Victoria chief executive Craig Bennett said that with almost 314,000 Victorians living with diabetes and an estimated 125,000 Victorians with undiagnosed diabetes, there was an increasing need to provide expert advice, resources and programs.

“This is so people affected by diabetes can live well and ensure the seriousness of diabetes is raised among various members of parliament at the Victorian Parliamentary Diabetes Support Group meeting later this year,” he said.

There are three main types of diabetes: Type one, type two and gestational. To find out more, people can call Mrs Huebner on 5396 1200.