The new Know Your Man Facts toolkit highlights important facts about Men and Diabetes
National Diabetes Week runs from 14-21 July 2024. To highlight the importance of understanding this chronic health condition, the Australian Men’s Health Forum has launched a new Know Your Man Facts toolkit: Diabetes + Men’s Health.
Described as the silent pandemic by Diabetes Australia because people are unaware of the risks of developing Type 2 Diabetes in particular – and its debilitating consequences – Australian men are more likely to get diabetes through lifestyle choices.
Around one million men in Australia are living with diabetes, and they are 50% more likely than women to die from the disease.
Three in 10 men with diabetes do not know they have it. However, 3 in 5 cases of Type 2 diabetes can be prevented.
“Diabetes is the epidemic of the 21st century and the biggest challenge confronting Australia’s health system,” says Diabetes Australia, listing diabetes as the 7th most common cause of death by disease in Australia.
An estimated 1.2 million Aussies are currently living with type 2 diabetes, which occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the insulin that is produced is not working effectively.
Diabetes complications include blindness, amputations (through diabetes-related foot ulcers and lower limb wounds), heart disease and kidney disease.
It is the fastest-growing chronic condition in Australia, moving at a faster rate than cardiovascular disease and cancer. Type 1 diabetes accounts for 10% of all diabetes and is increasing. Type 2 diabetes accounts for 85% of all diabetes and is increasing.
Read more facts about diabetes in Australia
The Know Your Man Facts toolkit draws on key facts related to men and diabetes. It highlights symptoms of diabetes, risk factors for diabetes in men and five ways to reduce the risk of diabetes.
There is also an Australian Type 2 Diabetes Risk Assessment Tool that anyone can take to see if they are at risk of developing the disorder.
Go to KNOW YOUR MAN FACTS: DIABETES + MENS HEALTH