Diabetes is a serious, long-term condition that affects glucose levels in the blood that have an impact on a wide range of health conditions including eye health, kidney disease, heart disease and weight management.
All three types of diabetes – type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes – require daily care and management.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are almost four times more likely than non-Indigenous Australians to develop diabetes. If you have diabetes, you can see one of the diabetes educators in our clinics to learn more about what diabetes is and how you can manage it.
The diabetes educator can support you with
- managing your diabetes
- helping set targets for good health
- planning meals and exercise to keep you healthy and active
- checking your meter is working properly
- advice about the health check-ups you need
- explaining causes of low or high blood sugar
- what to do if you have low or high blood sugar
- what to do when you are sick
- how your diabetes medications work
- injection techniques for insulin shots
- driving rules and requirements.
