National diabetes prevalence study needed

'Diabetes New Zealand is here for the long-haul and we want a national strategy to assist us and the government in supporting New Zealanders with diabetes,' says Mike Smith, the President of Diabetes New Zealand. 'The first step is a national prevalence study.

'We need to know the numbers. We need accurate information if we are to cope with the increasing numbers of people diagnosed with diabetes coming on to the programme each year.'

The report on the effectiveness of the Get Checked programme was tabled in Parliament today and noted that '[n]o clear conclusions can be drawn from current Ministry indicators on whether and to what extent the programme is improving the effectiveness of diabetes management'.

The government should fund a prevalence study so district health boards can get an accurate picture of the numbers of people with diabetes in their areas, says Mike Smith.

'There needs to be a more proactive approach taken and a real evaluation on what is happening for New Zealanders with diabetes,' continues Mike Smith. 'Why are only 40% of Maori who are expected to have diabetes enrolled in this programme compared with the 60% of all other ethnicities?

'Diabetes New Zealand would like to see more fully funded visits to increase the take-up rate of the Get Checked programme. We want all people with diabetes to be receiving their free annual check. Diabetes has been called the epidemic of the 21st century and the government needs to not only implement effective programmes but to make sure there are adequate resources to fund them.'

Diabetes New Zealand says that money can be saved if the government measures the effectiveness of the annual Get Checked programme by regularly monitoring the programme and reporting annually on the 18 recommendations in the Office of the Auditor-General report. Following through the evaluation with effective implementation would improve the health and wellbeing of all people with diabetes.

This report by the Office of the Auditor-General has confirmed information presented to the government by Diabetes New Zealand in 2001. Repeating the recommendations made in 'Type 2 diabetes: Managing for Better Health Outcomes', Diabetes New Zealand calls for more diabetes specialists and services.

There are now over 157,000 people in New Zealand diagnosed with diabetes - 142,000 with Type 2 diabetes and 15,000 people with Type 1 diabetes. This is a 35% increase since 2001 for Type 2 diabetes and a 36% increase for Type 1 diabetes. The Ministry of Health has estimated that 80,000 people have Type 2 diabetes who have not yet been diagnosed and a further 400,000 people are at risk.

ENDS

For more information contact Mike Smith, President, Diabetes New Zealand, phone 0800 438 6453.