AUSTRALIANS are being urged to get simple health checks this National Diabetes Week (13-19 Jul) in an effort to prevent type 2 diabetes with early detection.

Priceline Pharmacy is offering free health checks on its digital health stations, giving people a quick and easy way to check their type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular and metabolic health risks.

The checks are self-service and take as little as five minutes to complete, and results are instant.

Diabetes Australia Group CEO Justine Cain said the initiative has the potential to save thousands of lives and ease growing pressure on the health system.

“There are 1.3 million Australians living with type 2 diabetes and another 500,000 living with silent, undiagnosed type 2 diabetes,” Cain said.

“Worryingly, there are another 2 million people who are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

“A simple, free check could be the difference between early detection and a life-threatening diabetes complication like a heart attack or stroke.”

While genetics and family history play a role in diabetes, more than half of type 2 diabetes cases can be prevented or delayed through lifestyle changes, Cain explained, noting that a health check is a practical way to help Australians understand their risk and improve their health.

New analysis by Diabetes Australia indicates that type 2 diabetes is one of the biggest health challenges facing the nation, with someone diagnosed every eight minutes.

“This National Diabetes Week we want to highlight the importance of prevention and early diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and the prevention of complications from all types of diabetes,” Cain said.

“These are critically important to protect the health of Australians now and into the future.”

In addition to blood glucose tests, the Priceline health stations can also identify cardiovascular risks early, such as high blood pressure and cholesterol.

The Royal Australian College of GPs is also urging people to get tested in order to save lives by preventing diabetes, pointing out it is much better to prevent it than treat it.

“This year for National Diabetes Week we are trying to encourage earlier diagnosis as well as preventing diabetes with a focus on lifestyle intervention,” said RACGP President Dr Michael Wright.

Cain noted that Australia is lagging behind other countries when it comes to type 2 diabetes prevention and is calling on governments to invest in a strong, coordinated public health response.

“Free checks are an important first step, but they must be part of a bigger, long-term strategy to tackle this national type 2 diabetes epidemic,” she concluded. KB

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