The state electorates of Thomastown and Broadmeadows have some of the highest rates of diabetes in Victoria.
New maps produced by Diabetes Victoria show that the Thomastown, Dandenong and Broadmeadows electorates have the highest prevalence of diabetes in Victoria, with Thomastown the worst of the three.
Diabetes chief executive Craig Bennett said newly released Australian Diabetes Maps showed the extent of the challenge.
“Diabetes is a major health challenge confronting the state and, unless we act, it could threaten the long-term viability of our health system,” Mr Bennett said.
He said it was important that diabetics be supported and taught how to confidently self-monitor to avoid serious complications, which could lead to costly hospital admissions.
According to Diabetes Victoria’s research, about 7.5 per cent of residents in the Thomastown electoral district have diabetes, compared to the national average of about 4.9 per cent.
Wollert has one of the highest rates of the disease in the state. About 23 per cent of residents suffer from the condition, which leaves too much glucose in the blood stream.
Thirteen-year-old Joshua Taranto lives at Epping, where the prevalence of diabetes sufferers is 5.7 per cent, 0.7 per cent above the average for a Victorian suburb.
Joshua was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes almost three years ago.
His mother Anna said the family felt shocked and to blame when he was diagnosed.
“As parents, we felt guilty and thought that we may have caused this condition somehow.” They have since changed the sorts of foods they eat, including banning processed bread and soft drinks, and they now count their intake of carbohydrates.
“This wasn’t entirely a bad thing as we have learned this about our own personal food intake and weight management,” Mrs Taranto said.
Type 1 diabetes can only be managed, whereas type 2 can be prevented or delayed by lifestyle changes, such as exercising more, eating well and losing weight.
