Advocacy Policy for Diabetes: Analysis and Recommendations

This report presents a comprehensive policy for advocating for diabetes awareness, prevention, and management, specifically targeting women over 45. The introduction highlights the urgency of the diabetes problem, citing statistics on prevalence and associated health risks, particularly in Australia. It then introduces Diabetes Australia, outlining its aims, objectives, goals, and values, including its commitment to support, encouragement, and research. The report applies the Ottawa health framework, advocating for government funding, awareness campaigns, and improved access to treatment and care. Recommendations include government funding for free check-ups, awareness campaigns, and subsidies for essential medications like insulin. The policy aims to improve awareness, donor funding, experience-sharing, treatment adherence, and early detection of diabetes, ultimately striving to reduce the disease burden through proactive measures and comprehensive care strategies.

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POLICY FOR ADVOCACY OF DIABETES
by (Name)
The Name of the Class (Course)
Professor (Tutor)
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The City and State where it is located
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Policy for Advocacy of Diabetes

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Introduction to the Contemporary Health Issue
Target group
The advocacy policy targets diabetes patients. More specifically, it will target women
who are aged above 45 years, owing to their increased risk of having the health problem. The
policy will seek to establish ways in which they will be prevented from contracting the health
problem. It will also aim to prevent the progression of disease in the patients and as well enable
them to get the most appropriate care whenever they need it.
Reason for Selecting the Target Group
Diabetes is characterized by blood sugar levels being higher than normal. It appears in
two types. Type 1 diabetes is characterized by the inability of the body to make insulin
(American Diabetes Association, 2015, p.97). Insulin is a hormone that plays the role of
conversion of glucose into glycogen (Segrè et al., 2014, p.140703). People with type 1 diabetes,
therefore, have to rely on insulin shots to assist in the proper conversion of glucose into glycogen
(Nolan et al., 2015, p.675). Type 2 diabetes is characterized by the inability of cells of the body
to respond to the insulin produced. It is the most common form of diabetes. The health problem
is most common among people who are overweight (Leibel et al., 2015, 2299).
Urgency of the Problem
Diabetes is a health problem that normally needs to be dealt with a high level of
urgency. The reason behind the case is that it leads to complications according to Nathan et al.,
(2016), among them being damage to the kidneys, nerves, and eyes. The International Diabetes
Federation (2015) in their 2015 report indicated that globally, about 415 million people had been
diagnosed with Diabetes. Out of this faction, about 37 percent of them were in the Pacific region,

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including Australia. With certainty on Australia, the International Diabetes Federation report
indicated that about 1 million of its citizens tested positive with type-2 Diabetes mainly between
the year 2014 and 2015. This was an increase, considering that in the period 2011 to 2012, the
figure was at 840, 000 Australians.
While Diabetes is associated with family history of with the diseases, studies indicate that
there are other major risk factors for Diabetes. Among them include obesity, which predisposes
people with poor lifestyles and dieting type 2 diabetes. The condition occurs due to the insulin
resistance that results in a lack of controlled blood sugar levels in a patient. The control of
obesity according to statistics can highly likely reduce the incidence of type-2 diabetes mellitus
globally. In the years 2014 to 2015, very high type-2 diabetes mellitus rates was realized among
many adults that were classified as being obese (6%) than the adults considered as overweight
(4.9%). This impacted heavily on Australia’s economy while at the same time increasing the
number of finances needed by the country in investing in disease control (International Diabetes
Federation, 2015). On a general scale in Australia, people who live in the country’s regional
parts total up to 6.7 percent rate of all diabetes cases in Australia. This rate is higher when rated
along with major cities that have a 4.7% diabetes rate, and this shows that the difference in the
percentage of those with diabetes and those without is mainly similar according to AIHW
(2006a).
The development and adoption of best self-management techniques among Australians
are necessary. Both individual and group education that has short term and long term goals
should be focused on encouraging growth in all territories where diabetes and its related ailments
are common. Statistics also show that 280 Australians develop the health problem daily. Thus,
the index shows that a person in Australia develops diabetes every five minutes. About 1.7

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million Australians have diabetes (Diabetes Australia, 2018, np). Statistics also show that about
100000 Australians developed diabetes in 2017. The total annual cost for the health problem is
estimated at $14.6 billion.
Diabetes Australia
Background of the Organization and aims and objectives
Diabetes Australia is a not-for-profit organisation that was formed with the unionization
of Australian Diabetes Society and Diabetes Federation of Australia. It was founded in 1937
and regarded to be among the oldest diabetes organisations in the world. The aim of Diabetes
Australia is to create a nationwide awareness regarding diabetes mellitus. Its objectives are to
develop national programs that are aimed at calling for people and entities to observe healthy
environments. It is through the process that they are likely to reduce the chances of people
developing the health problem, a case that could interfere with their quality of life (Diabetes
Australia, 2018, np). The organisation also aims to improve upon the element of research.
Granted, it has the chance to identify practices to be adopted in the current world, which bears a
chance to reduce the chances of people contracting diabetes. Through the process of research,
there is also a chance of adopting the best treatment mechanisms that are essential in alleviating
people from the challenges they might be having as a result of having the health problem.
Goals and Achievements till Date
One goal of the organization is to improve the willingness of people to take up preventive
actions against diabetes. Another goal of Diabetes Australia is to improve the level of early
detection of patients and ensure they enroll in therapy early. It is through the process that the

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extent of harm of the health problem reduces considerably. The organization also has the goal of
improving the affordability of diabetes treatment and management among patients by calling for
the subsidization of the costs involved. One of the achievements of the organization is being part
of the formulation team of the National Diabetes Strategy and Implementation Plan. The plan
aimed to identify some of the gaps that exist in the care and management of diabetes, with the
aim of bridging the gap effectively. The organization has also developed a strategy that has aided
in proper record-taking of diabetes cases in the country.
Values of the Organization
Diabetes Australia adheres to values that will enable it to provide quality services. The
values include support and encouragement. Support involves providing the women with diabetes
financial assistance to enable them access better healthcare. The support also involves informing
women who do not have diabetes on measures to take to avoid contracting the health problem.
The encouragement aspect relates to giving women a message of hope in a bid to improve their
self-efficacy. Thus, they are likely to benefit more from the treatment they are accorded. The
values are aimed at improving upon the views that people with the health problem have
regarding their situation. They are, therefore, likely to establish the right mechanisms within
which they might take advantage of their situation to improve their wellbeing (Diabetes
Australia, 2018, np). People with diabetes are also likely to learn from the actions taken by other
people with the health problem to improve their situation (Boyle et al., 2016, p.33). They are also
likely to locate the different health facilities that are critical towards dealing with the challenge
effectively.
Health Framework

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Introduction
The Ottawa health framework was developed in 1986. Its aim was to improve the level of
health provision which would ensure that people attain better health outcomes by the year 200
and beyond. The charter was majorly geared towards health promotion. The health promotion
aspect of the charter details to the idea that various resources are required in dealing with disease
(Better Health Channel, 2017). They include; shelter, peace, education, income, food, social
justice and equity, sustainable resources and a stable ecosystem. The health promotion element
also contains three strategies. These include; to advocate, to mediate and to enable. Advocacy
entails approaching the various dimensions of quality of life which includes the economic,
political, social, environmental behavior and cultural with the aim to improve the health
outcomes of people.
Enabling involves improving the availability of healthcare among people. It is, therefore,
through the process that they are in a position to gain access to resources that improve the health
outcomes of individuals. Thus, it improves on the equal opportunity for people who have
different health illnesses. The mediation aspect relates to the coordination of the various sectors
in healthcare, such as the government, the private sector and healthcare facilities to push for
better health outcomes among individuals.
Purpose of the framework
The purpose of the framework cut the disease burden created by diabetes. It is achieved
through the reduction of chances of contracting the disease early management or better
management of the problem.

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The Health Framework
Calls for the use of all resources available in dealing with a health outcome in the
community
Advocate
Puts focus on achieving equity in health provision
Enable
Calls for action by all staekeholders in healthcare to seek to better health provision
Mediate

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Aim/s and Objectives of the policy for Advocacy
• To improve the level of awareness of people regarding Diabetes and the treatment
mechanisms available (Zinman et al., 2015, p.2118).
• To improve the level of donor funding towards dealing with the problem of diabetes by
increasing access to treatment among people with the health problem (Diabetes Australia, 2013,
np).
• To improve the level of experience-sharing amongst people with diabetes.
• To improve the level of adherence to treatment among people who have diabetes (Ricci &
Cowie, 2016, p.54).
• To improve the willingness of people to undergo medical checkups for diabetes to increase
the chances of early treatment of the health problem.
The Health Framework
The health framework will advocate for the government to provide more resources
towards dealing with the problem of diabetes among women, especially, those aged 45 or more
years. The action may be attained by providing more financing through Medicaid (Diabetes
Australia, 2013, np). Politicians may also call for actions that provide an impetus for the
improvement of diabetes care. For instance, they may call for subsidies in insulin, thus, ensuring
that people with diabetes have a chance to access it (Inzucchi et al., 2015, p.142).
Through the process of enabling, Diabetes Australia seeks to inform women with
diabetes on the best strategies to undertake to prevent them from suffering immense harm from
the healthy problem. It, therefore, informs them of the need to consistently take the drugs they

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have been prescribed to reduce the extent of disease (Marso et al., 2016, p.314). The mediation
process is majorly pegged on bringing on board the various players involved in diabetes care.
They include the governmental and non-governmental stakeholders. They are, therefore, likely to
establish measures that improve the element of diabetes care among women. An instance would
be call for regular check-ups among women (Zinman et al., 2015, p.2118). The process ensures
that any case of the problem is easily identified and the woman is oriented to care. The process
also enables the women to gain access to information that may prevent them from contracting the
health problem. For instance, they may need to be informed on the diets to adhere to as well as
the need for regular exercise.
Recommendations/call to actions for government
1. The government needs to engage in actions that are likely to improve the health of various
people. It needs to provide funding to various health facilities to ensure they can provide free
check-up services for diabetes among people (Green et al., 2015, p.237). The situation is
imperative as it is likely to provide information on people who have the health problem early.
The situation, therefore, makes it possible to put more attention on the management of cases
identified early (Fenwick et al., 2018, p.669). The measures are keen on reducing the chances of
people who are found to have the health problem from suffering excessively out of the same.
2. The government also needs to conduct awareness campaigns through both the conventional
and social media regarding diabetes. The situation is, therefore likely to make more people aware
of the health problem and be more willing to undergo check-ups that improve the chances of
dealing with the health problem effectively (De Felice et al., 2014, p.2265). People will have the
chance to establish factors that appear to cause diabetes, such as being overweight (Deed et al.,

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2016, p.157). They will seek to avoid the situation, with the view of being in a position to
safeguard their health effectively.
3. The government needs to also subsidize the diabetes treatment and management offered at
various health facilities. The action makes it easy for more people to gain access to the treatment
options held for diabetes (Chow et al., 2014, p.1739). The action is also imperative in boosting
the quality of life of people. It will enable more people to seek the willingness to be in more
control of their health. Thus, such people are likely to have the best health outcomes.
4. The government also needs to subsidize diabetes treatment. The action will be achieved by
providing tax cuts for companies that sell wholesome foods. The measure are, therefore, critical
in improving the sale of healthy foods (Australia, 2018, p.2). Through the sale of such foods,
there is a high likelihood of reduction in the chances of contracting diabetes among individuals.
The government should also provide funding for not-for-profit organisations involved in the
sensitization for diabetes. Through the process, they are likely to improve upon the actions
established to reduce the level of harm that come upon people where they happen to develop the
health problem.
5. The government needs to conduct research into the best prevention actions and treatment
strategies to be used in the treatment of the health problem. The action will ensure that the extent
and disease burden of diabetes reduces considerably (Fenwick et al., 2018, p.669). The research
will also help to replace drugs identified to have high levels of side-effects with their best
alternatives. The research process will also show the geographical region in which people are at
more risk of contracting diabetes. The measure will enable the government to focus most of the
preventive activities in the area.

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6. The government should create more public amenities such as gyms, that are important for
exercise (Chow et al., 2014, p.1739). The measure will be important in enabling people to
engage in regular fitness exercise. It is, therefore, through the process that they are likely to
avoid increased body weight that is likely to expose them to lifestyle problems such as diabetes.
Conclusion
To sum up, diabetes affects people who are overweight, among others. Due to the
increased need for information regarding the health problem, the Diabetes Australia is keen on
acting as a central platform on which people share their experiences. The organisation also aids
in supporting and encouraging people with the health challenge. Thus, it is likely to improve
upon the level of hope they might be having in regards to the improvement of their situation. The
organisation also shares information as it relates to the outcomes of different research studies
conducted in line with diabetes. The organisation could push the government to provide more
funding towards the treatment of diabetes. The government could also conduct many
promotional campaigns that are aimed at improving the level of awareness that people have
regarding the health problem.

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References
American Diabetes Association, 2015. Standards of medical care in diabetes—2015 abridged for
primary care providers. Clinical diabetes: a publication of the American Diabetes
Association, 33(2), p.97.
Australia, H., 2018. Type 1 diabetes. 2
Better Health Channel. (2017). Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/servicesandsupport/ottawa-charter-for-health-
promotion?viewAsPdf=true
Boyle, E., Saunders, R. and Drury, V., 2016. General practice nurse diabetes care: What do
patients experience?. Australian Nursing and Midwifery Journal, 23(9), p.33.
Chow, E., Bernjak, A., Williams, S., Fawdry, R.A., Hibbert, S., Freeman, J., Sheridan, P.J. and
Heller, S.R., 2014. Risk of cardiac arrhythmias during hypoglycemia in patients with type
2 diabetes and cardiovascular risk. Diabetes, 63(5), pp.1738-1747.
De Felice, F.G. and Ferreira, S.T., 2014. Inflammation, defective insulin signaling, and
mitochondrial dysfunction as common molecular denominators connecting type 2
diabetes to Alzheimer disease. Diabetes, 63(7), pp.2262-2272.
Deed, G., Kilov, G., Phillips, P., Sharma, A., Leow, S., Arthur, I., Barlow, J. and Kennedy, M.,
2016. Peer-to-Peer, Interactive GP Education can Reduce Barriers to Best Practice in
Diabetes Management. Diabetes Therapy, 7(1), pp.153-161.