Diabetes 2000

Diabetes 2000
Date of publication: March 2000

Diabetes is a common condition that potentially effects all New Zealanders. The impact of diabetes on illness and mortality is very significant, and will become more so as the prevalence increases. Presently there are approximately 115,000 people with known diabetes in New Zealand, and possibly a further 40,000 - 60,000 people undiagnosed.

Diabetes is a Maori health gain priority. It is about 3 times more common in Maori and Pacific Island people, and the mortality rate in the 40-65 year age range is nearly 10 times higher than for other New Zealanders. In twenty years the number of Maori people with diabetes will nearly double, even if lifestyle risk factors do not deteriorate.

Health promotion, early detection, effective treatment, and knowledge are all essential support for people with diabetes. This diabetes implementation plan promotes increased - and more comprehensive - diabetes education and support, more eye screening, and free annual reviews in primary care. Local Diabetes Teams are being established to monitor and report on diabetes care in the various regions.

The greater needs of the Maori and Pacific Island people will be addressed by reducing their barriers to care, increasing consultation through local diabetes teams, and allocating specific funding for Maori and Pacific Island initiatives.

Information empowering local clinicians and consumers is a core component for this plan. This will allow healthcare providers to work across traditional boundaries and provide services for people with diabetes more effectively. This implementation plan is moving in tandem with the primary care strategy to address the key priorities which were identified in the 1997 Ministry of Health (MOH) document “Strategies for the prevention and control of diabetes in New Zealand”.

Implementation of the diabetes plan is well under way.

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