NSW: Coordinated plan needed to combat diabetes, summit told

AAP General News (Australia)
04-10-2006
NSW: Coordinated plan needed to combat diabetes, summit told

A threefold increase in diabetes cases across New South Wales has prompted calls for
a coordinated plan to combat the epidemic.

According to Diabetes Australia-NSW as many as 1.2 million Australians have the disease
.. half a million of them in NSW.

And the highest rates of diabetes are being recorded in Aboriginal communities .. those
in lower socio-economic groups .. and those living in regional areas such as Broken Hill
and Dubbo.

Complications of diabetes include increased risk of heart disease .. stroke and kidney
disease .. retinal damage leading to blindness .. and amputation.

Key recommendations of today's summit included ethical food advertising .. better education
in schools .. and greater links with diabetes-prone ethnic and indigenous communities.

AAP RTV ab/was/tm/wf

KEYWORD: DIABETES (SYDNEY)

2006 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.