New modelling from Diabetes Australia (DA), based on US research, has found that the cost impact of people in Australia living with type 2 diabetes not receiving recommended care was around A$3,564 per person per annum. An estimated 50% of Australians living with type 2 diabetes are not accessing a range of recommended diabetes health checks. Missed health checks contribute to the increased prevalence of diabetes-related hospitalisations and complications. Annually this includes 710,000 admissions to hospitals for dialysis; 256,000 admissions to hospitals for other kidney-related conditions; 19,000 diabetesrelated emergency admissions; 100,000 hospitalisations for eye complications; and 5,163 amputations. This results in extra costs to the health system, with an increased prevalence of diabetes-related complications, many of which are preventable. The new cost analysis was released at the start of National Diabetes Week which runs from today till 15 Jul. CEO Justine Cain said the modelling highlighted the importance of supporting Australians living with all types of diabetes to receive the best possible healthcare. Adding that this National Diabetes Week, DA was launching “the nation’s biggest-ever conversation about diabetes to hear from people living with the condition about improving the quality of healthcare they receive and inform its submission to the parliamentary inquiry into diabetes”. “We’re hoping to amplify the voice of people with diabetes who understand the reality of living with diabetes better than anyone, and encourage people to complete our National Community Consultation Survey and attend one of our Great Debates either in person or online,” Cain concluded. Learn more HERE.