According to data from the National Diabetes Services Scheme.
Melton residents affected by diabetes are being encouraged to come forward to help researchers at the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute find out more about the disease.
Australia has 5.4 per cent of the population as registrants in the scheme, whereas 6.5 per cent of Melton’s population are registered.
Residents of the Melton, Brimbank, Hume, Maribyrnong, and Mooney Valley boroughs with type 2 diabetes are eligible and will receive free heart scans, eye exams, scans, and memory and physical function tests.
The Baker Heart and Diabetes institute is conducting the ‘PREDICT’ research study at Sunshine Hospital in order to learn how to identify who might be at risk of diabetes complications.
According to the Institute, type 2 diabetes can cause complications such as heart attacks, strokes, damage to eyesight, nerve damage, reduced kidney function and circulation issues leading to amputation.
Fraser Rise resident Mary Rizzo, a participant in the study, has type 2 diabetes along with many of her family members.
“Diabetes is really bad and it runs in families, so if I can help, I will… we need to find answers,” Ms Rizzo said.
Baker Institute deputy director and lead researcher Professor Jonathan Shaw said the study was an opportunity for residents to help researchers understand who will be affected by the potential complications of type 2 diabetes.
“To prevent these complications of diabetes, we need to know who is most likely to get them, so that down the track, we’ll be able to provide tailored, personalised treatment for every individual.” said Shaw
In the 2020/21 financial year one in twenty (5.3%) people had diabetes in 2020-21. Rates were similar for males and females (5.7% and 4.9%) in Australia
