University Report: Social Policy, Health, and Welfare on Diabetes

This report provides a comprehensive overview of the diabetes epidemic in Australia, analyzing its prevalence, epidemiological profile, and the associated challenges. It highlights key issues such as obesity, diabetic foot ulcers, and chronic kidney disease, emphasizing the risks and benefits of various interventions. The report assesses the impact of social policies, health, and welfare programs, focusing on lifestyle choices, dietary guidelines, and exercise regimens to manage and mitigate the effects of diabetes. It also examines the role of major health bodies, including the Dieticians Association of Australia and the National Diabetes Services Scheme, in providing support, resources, and awareness programs. The conclusion underscores the need for proactive measures from the government and healthcare professionals to improve the health conditions of individuals affected by diabetes, advocating for early interventions and comprehensive care strategies.

Running head: SOCIAL POLICY, HEALTH AND WELFARE
Social policy, health and welfare
Student Name
University Name
Author Note

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Brief background of diabetes
The chronic disorder which impedes the ability of the body to produce and further
utilize insulin is diabetes mellitus. Inability of the body to produce the hormone makes the
body susceptible to a higher level of blood glucose which can subsequently lead to chronic
complications such as diabetes, stroke, heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure,
nerve damage, and vascular disease and foot problems (Kramers et al. 2015). It is nearly
impossible to determine the exact number of individuals who have been diagnosed with
diabetes, but it can be estimated that around 1.1 million are present (Handley et al. 2016). In
this case, it is needed for us to initiate an awareness of masses of the requirement of a
nutritious diet devoid of food contents containing high sugar and imbibe an exercise program
to alleviate the risk of obesity among the young population. Hence, for the effective decrease
in the prevalent rate of diabetes, proper exercise regimens and nutritional improvement
should be designed (Chen et al. 2015). It is observed that the individuals who are at risk of
developing diabetes have lower incidence of exercise in their daily lives and inculcate junk
foods due to shortage of times in their lives.
Epidemiological profile
One of the biggest challenges of the healthcare system in Australia is the prevalence
rate diabetes among the population of the country. It is briefly described as the epidemic of
the 21st century. Individuals of all ages are at risk of being diagnosed with diabetes form
which around 100,000 individuals have been detected to suffer from diabetes in the past year.
It is a fastest growing serious condition that is experienced by the individuals other than
cancer and chronic heart diseases. The type 1 diabetes is accounted for at least ten percent of
the whole population and is increasing in an exponential rate (Magliano et al. 2015). In
addition, type 2 diabetes have been accounted for at least eighty-five percent of the all the
population diagnosed with diabetes and also increasing in an exponential manner. In the year
2017-18, six percent of Australians over the age of 18 have been diagnosed with three forms
of diabetes, type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes. It is since the year 2001, a doubled rate of
3.3 percent among the population aged over 18 years have been observed. In the report
structured in 2017-18, the incidence rate of diabetes was observed more in men than women.
In addition, individuals up to the age of 75 have been reported to be diagnosed with diabetes
as three times higher than individuals of age 45-54.
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Three main issues
One of the main issues which are to be experienced by individuals suffering from
diabetes mellitus is the leading incidence rate of obesity. It is one of the primary issues which
places the individual in high risk of suffering from other chronic illnesses. Many researchers
have studied the relationship between obesity and the incidence rate of diabetes among the
individuals. It has been believed by researchers that one of the key players in the
development of diabetes is obesity (Zimmet et al. 2016). In the survey released by the
Australian Bureau of Statistics’ National Health Survey, two third populations of adults in
Australia were detected to be overweight in 2017-18. In addition, the survey also showed that
one quarter of children aged between 5 to 17 years are obese. When an individual is found to
be obese, their risk of developing hypertension and diabetes is higher. In addition, the above
mentioned conditions are intertwined with the prevalence and development of chronic heart
conditions.
In addition to the above mentioned issue, another problem which surfaces is the
prevalence of diabetic foot ulcers among diabetes patients. When the body of the individual
loses the ability to produce insulin and have diets which are generally restricted for them, the
blood glucose levels are bound to increase and reach a level which is abnormal. It is through
the mismanagement of the cuts that the individual may experience foot ulcers which may turn
critical and even result in death. Moreover, people who have been detected with diabetes are
at an increased risk of developing Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). 23 percent of the
individuals who are diabetic have a likelihood of developing CKD in Australia which is
aimed to reduce with medication therapy (Tziomalos and Athyros 2015). It is possible that
the kidney filters could be damaged because of high blood glucose levels which may, in turn,
lead to chronic kidney diseases and diabetic nephropathy.
Risks and benefits
For the appropriate designing of the intervention for the young population of
Australia, it is critical to observe their lifestyle choices such that an efficient intervention
could lead to desired outcomes. Upon assessing the condition of the population by the means
of statistics by Australian Bureau, physical activity and diet management of the individuals is
one of the major interventions that are to be administered to the people. The primary goal of
the intervention is to limit the consumption of food items which are observed to be high in
sugar content and incorporate certain exercise programs for the elimination of risk of obesity
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among the people. The chief objective of the intervention is to reduce the prevalence of
obesity among young people diagnosed with diabetes and to initiate a lifestyle with good
choices such as exercises which, in turn, will reduce the prevalence of diabetes. The sub-
objective of the following interventions is to introduce the young public, who are vulnerable
to the risk of diabetes and other subsequent chronic illnesses to a lifestyle which includes the
consumption of nutritious foods at all times and planning different exercises for the habit of
exercising regularly. For the establishment of a desirable outcome, it is necessary for the
evaluators to detect the positive side of the interventions and the response of the interventions
from the public. Hence, evaluators need to assess the outcome of the interventions
administered for at least 18 months such that a desirable result could be achieved and studied
further.
It has been seen through various researches conducted that showed that individuals
who exercise regularly they are benefitted. Benefits like lowering the blood pressure,
reducing the risk of chronic heart conditions, stress reduction, healthy weight maintenance
and improved functionality of the insulin is being reported. It is because of this benefits that
the intervention that is being provided to the individuals will be helpful and an effective
diabetic management will be ensured. Initially the individual will be recommended to walk,
cycle, dance as choice, water aerobics and weight training (Pinsker et al. 2016; Shiroma et al.
2017). Furthermore, improving the diet of the individuals by arranging nutritional awareness
programs is also crucial. It is important for the individuals to understand that the incidence
rate of diabetes could be greatly reduced if better food choices is made instead of junk food.
Australians who have diabetes will be told to follow the dietary guidelines that have been
released by the Australian government (Duvivier et al. 2017) containing plenty of leafy and
green vegetables, fruit, cereal foods, eggs, nuts, lean meats, yoghurt, milk and plenty of
water. In addition, the individuals are required to limit the intake of foods which contain high
content of saturated fat and restrain yourself from consuming butter, coconut and palm oil
and use nut spreads, spreads and nut oils (Feinman et al. 2015). Alcoholic drinks and other
sugar-sweetened drinks will be restricted from the usage by the individuals such that the
consumption of sugar content is reduced and bare minimum (Cao, Xie and Chen 2015).
Furthermore, the consumption of fried foods, fatty snacks, processed sausages and meats and
desserts are to be restricted from over usage such that a positive health outcome for the
participants is achieved.
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One of the primary methods or tools which could be implemented for the evaluation
of the outcome of the interventions administered is the regular, weekly assessment of the
participants who are under the study. The change in percentage of the obesity for the next 18
months is to be correlated at the end such that a possible statistical graph could be established
with the decrease in prevalence rate. In addition, the change in the attitude of the individuals
with the lifestyle and the food choices are being studied and the effects that have been
observed are correlated with the level of blood glucose. However, there are some risks as
well which can hamper the expected outcome for the intervention to be given to the
population group. Majority of the individuals who have been diagnosed may not be able to
sustain the high intensity workout and may have other healthcare complications like asthma
or may not ingest certain foods like nuts because of allergy. Hence, it is in these cases that the
healthcare organization organizing the awareness program should place crucial importance to
such matters such that the life of the individuals is not compromised.
Support by major health bodies
For the gathering of the resources and funds, it is crucial for certain stakeholders to
participate like healthcare organizations, nurses, physicians, healthcare boards and dieticians.
It is their responsibility to advocate to the people for the interventions that have been
designed for their health betterment. Hence, for the above mentioned intervention program,
Dieticians Association of Australia have been organized to make the individuals aware of the
detrimental effects of lifestyle and diet for their betterment in life conditions. It is with the
help of this organization that the individuals will be referred to an Accredited Practicing
Dietician (APD) for considering the relevant lifestyle and health influences and will educate
the individuals to understand the difference between myths and facts related to diabetes and
other complicated health disorders (King et al. 2017). It is with the help of this APD that the
individuals are able to understand that the eliminating carbohydrate and sugar is detrimental
for the health and will make it difficult for the individual to carry out their daily task (Moses
et al. 2017). In addition, many individuals think that consuming a high fat and protein diet for
their health management. Hence, it is crucial for the healthcare professionals to ensure that
right information is being provided to the individuals and their health is not compromised
(Ball et al. 2016). It is the responsibility of the nursing professionals to advocate to the
participants regarding the health choices and should be explained to them in a clear and
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concise manner with the inclusion of images and videos showing the detrimental and ill-
effects of bad lifestyle and consumption of junk food in the long run.
Furthermore, National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) have been organizing their
awareness programs relating to healthy eating in individuals who have been recently
diagnosed with diabetes (Huo et al. 2016). They aim to make the individuals aware of the
importance of exercises in their daily lives to reduce the incidence of diabetes and other
chronic illnesses. They conduct weekly awareness programs in which one half of the nurses
are dedicated to educate the people of the effects of the health and wellbeing and the other
half are dedicated to monitor the blood glucose levels of the individuals (Huo et al. 2016). It
is with the help of this measurement that they are referred to healthcare specialists for their
further monitoring and a subsequent change in their health domain.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it could be understood that the health of the individuals in Australia has
been critical for a long time and it was nearly time for the government and healthcare
professionals to take strict measures for the improvement in the health condition of the
patient. It is nearly impossible to determine the exact number of individuals who have been
diagnosed with diabetes, but it can be estimated that around 1.1 million are present. It has
been observed that the wellbeing of the Australian populace have been influenced with the
preventable efforts made by the government and healthcare professionals for diabetes. When
an individual is inactive or unable to exercise during a specific time, it increases the risk of
the individual being detected with chronic illnesses which can deter them from leading a
normal life.
Hence, after the successful designing of the intervention, it is responsibility of the
evaluators to incorporate and administer the individuals with the intervention for the
establishment of desirable outcomes. Physical activity and diet management of the
individuals is one of the major interventions which are needed to be administered by the
government and the healthcare professionals for the betterment in the condition of the people.
It has been seen through various researches conducted that showed that individuals who
exercise regularly they are benefitted. Benefits like lowering the blood pressure, reducing the
risk of chronic heart conditions, stress reduction, healthy weight maintenance and improved
functionality of the insulin is being reported. There are certain healthcare organizations which
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are involved with addressing the increasing incidence rate of diabetes among the population
by educating the risk factors that are associated with constant rising blood glucose levels.
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