Aiming to halt the diabetes epidemic in Australia, the Parliamentary Inquiry into Diabetes has unveiled 23 crucial recommendations in a report tabled on July 3 by the Health, Aged Care and Sport Committee. Key proposals include expanding Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) subsidies, implementing a national screening program, and banning junk food advertising targeted at children.
Key Recommendations:
- Subsidies Expansion: The report suggests broadening subsidised access to insulin pumps for individuals with type 1 diabetes and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices for those with type 2 and type 3c diabetes who require regular insulin, as well as for gestational diabetes patients.
- Prevention Strategies: A national public health campaign, a levy on sugar-sweetened beverages, and food labelling reforms targeting added sugar content are recommended to help consumers make healthier choices through clear front-of-pack labelling.
Stakeholder Reactions:
Justine Cain, CEO of Diabetes Australia, praised the recommendations from Parliament House in Canberra. She emphasized the importance of these long-advocated measures for diabetes prevention, care, and research.
“For many years, Diabetes Australia has strongly advocated for prevention, care, and research measures like those recommended in this report,” Cain stated. She highlighted the significance of recommendations concerning access to technology, which she believes are critically important.
“We would like to see insulin pumps subsidised for all people living with type 1 diabetes, and we’ll be engaging with the government about how to do that in a staged, affordable way,” she added. “Diabetes technologies change people’s lives, and that’s why we have been calling for the government to invest in equitable access to them.”
Economic Analysis:
The report also recommends a comprehensive economic analysis of the direct and indirect costs of diabetes, with an estimated 2 million Australians currently living with the disease in its various forms. These recommendations aim to provide a roadmap for improving diabetes prevention and management.
Call to Action:
“We need to act decisively and collectively. The time for bold action is now,” Cain urged. “We look forward to working with the government as it responds to the Committee’s recommendations.”
Inquiry Background:
The Parliamentary Committee’s Diabetes Inquiry was initiated by the Hon Mark Butler MP, Minister for Health and Aged Care, in May 2023. The inquiry received over 450 submissions from people living with diabetes, advocacy groups, healthcare professionals, and researchers.
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