By Derek Schlennstedt
In the lead-up to National Diabetes Week, Eastern Health is urging people with or at risk of developing diabetes to seek professional assistance after rates of the condition continue to climb in the Yarra Ranges.
It is reported that 4.2 per cent of residents in the Yarra Ranges are registered as having diabetes – a statistic that Jennifer Williams, Diabetes Educator at Healesville Hospital and Yarra Valley Health is concerned about
“Diabetes is a serious condition. Between 2008 and 2013, it contributed to eight per cent of all deaths in the Yarra Ranges – a higher rate than deaths due to traffic accidents,” Ms Williams said.
Overall the 4.2 per cent statistic is lower than the state-wide average of 5.2 per cent, however the prevalence of diabetes has risen by 92 per cent between 2008 and 2017 in the hills and urban area, including Upwey.
Menzies Creek and Selby have seen an 85 per cent increase, while the Patch, Lilydale, Mt Evelyn and Mooroolbark have all seen substantial increases since 2008.
Those who develop diabetes are three times more likely to suffer from kidney failure, and Eastern Health has reported that patient numbers of kidney failure have doubled in the past eight years.
Healesville Hospital has recently undergone a number of improvements including several new dialysis machines, but Ms Williams warns that prevention is better than a cure.
While we have a fantastic new hospital facility with local access to renal dialysis – we’d prefer people access the preventative services we have available to avoid their condition progressing and impacting their quality of life,” Ms Williams said.
Healesville Hospital and Yarra Valley Health’s Healthy Living and Diabetes team will be hosting free supermarket tours at Healesville Coles on Tuesday, 11 June, at 9.30am and 10.30am.
Local residents are also invited to attend a healthy morning tea on Friday, 14 July at 10.30am at Healesville Hospital and Yarra Valley Health to meet the team.
