The top 6 diabetes hot spots in Tasmania are clearly highlighted on the new Australian Diabetes Map. The top three LGAs are Flinders 6.8%, Waratah/Wynyard 6.7% and Glamorgan/Spring Bay 6.65%, according to the new interactive map released today.

The Australian Diabetes Map provides an up-to-date picture of diabetes prevalence across all states and territories, local government areas, federal and state electorates right down to postcodes. Also, for the first time the diabetes map includes data for the new primary health networks.

Diabetes Tasmania CEO, Caroline Wells said the Australian Diabetes Map showed the extent of the challenge diabetes poses to Tasmania.

“Diabetes is the single biggest health challenge confronting Tasmania and unless we act it will threaten the long-term viability of our health system,” Ms Wells said.

“The Australian Diabetes Map is a powerful tool to help governments, our primary health network, policy makers, and planners to deliver diabetes care and programs to the people who need it most.

“This includes supporting and educating people with diabetes to ensure they can self-monitor and manage their diabetes and avoid serious complications and costly, and debilitating, hospital admissions.”
Ms Wells said that Tasmania is ranked third in the country for diabetes prevalence. Other communities high on the hot spot list are:

 Tasman 6.48%
 Dorset 6.3%
 Derwent Valley 6.22%
 Glenorchy 6.1%
 Burnie 6.02%

Diabetes Australia CEO Greg Johnson said it was important Australians act now to meet the challenges of the diabetes epidemic.

“When it comes to diabetes no one is winning. There have been more than 100,000 Australians already diagnosed with diabetes in the past year and around one in three hospital beds are already filled by diabetes or related complications,” Professor Johnson said.

“The updated Australian Diabetes Map provides an unprecedented opportunity for health services to tailor support for people affected by diabetes in their community.

“Diabetes Australia acknowledges the Federal Government’s current focus on diabetes and we believe the new National Diabetes Strategy, currently under consideration, will help shape the critical responses to the challenge of diabetes.

“It is important that we build on and expand existing assets like the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) which is an essential coordination and delivery mechanism for targeted early intervention to support the best ongoing self care and health care.”

The Australian Diabetes Map, developed as part of the NDSS, is the only national geospatial map monitoring the prevalence of diabetes in Australia across variables including diabetes type, age, gender, and socio-economic disadvantage. The NDSS is an Australian Government scheme administered by Diabetes Australia.

The Australian Diabetes Map can be accessed here: http://www.diabetesmap.com.au/#/
Caroline Wells, CEO, Diabetes Tasmania