Diabetes Mellitus and Health Promotion Campaign Report - [University]

This report provides a comprehensive overview of Diabetes Mellitus in Australia, focusing on the disparities between indigenous and non-indigenous populations. It begins with an introduction to diabetes as a significant health challenge, supported by statistics on prevalence and rising trends, particularly in type 2 diabetes. The report delves into the impact of diabetes on individuals, families, and communities, highlighting socioeconomic factors and lifestyle influences. It explores the health discrepancies between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians, detailing historical, social, and cultural factors contributing to these differences. The report discusses various health promotion campaigns implemented by the Australian government, with a focus on the "Take Diabetes 2 Heart" campaign. The author proposes a fundraising campaign involving a marathon to support diabetes management, including proper diet and insulin treatment. The report concludes by emphasizing the importance of lifestyle changes and awareness in combating the increasing rates of diabetes and related complications.

Running head: DIABETES MELLITUS 1
Diabetes Mellitus
Name of Student
Name of Professor
Institution Affiliation
Date

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Introduction
Diabetes is arguably the biggest epidemic of the 21st century and a significant
challenge to the health care systems around the world. By the year 2017, approximately 1.2
million (6%) Australian of adults above 18 years were diagnosed with diabetes (Zheng et al.,
2018, p. 88). This is according to statistics provided by the ministry of health for 2017-2018
figures. Mainly, type 2 diabetes has been on the rise in the country for the last decade.
Unhealthy lifestyles and feeding habits primarily contribute to this increase (Katsarou et al.,
2017, p. 1-17). The statistics show that the aboriginals and the Torres Strait Islander people
are at a higher risk of type 2 diabetes than the non-indigenous Australians. The significant
public health concern for the past few years has been to know why the curve has been on the
rise for young people aged between 18-35 diagnosed for type two diabetes for both the
indigenous and the non-indigenous people (Tilg et al., 2016, p. 56). The impact that this
condition has brought to the people is massive. The enormous burden of the disease falls on
the less advantaged and the indigenous people; the aboriginals and the Torres Strait islanders
who are three times more likely to contract the chronic ailment than their non-indigenous
counterparts. The reason for this significant parity is still a mystery.
This text will focus on the effects of diabetes mellitus on indigenous and non-
indigenous people in Australia. Its impact on the health care system in the country and the
economic implications of its increase. The paper will also discuss the interventions put in
place by the Australian government to combat the rise in diabetes mellitus. The diagnosis
management and treatment option for type two diabetes will also be mainly discussed.
Type 2 diabetes background information
Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes in the world. It was initially
perceived to be an adult condition, but today it is becoming more and more common among

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children and teenagers (Asmat, Abad, & Ismail., 2016, p. 10-34). For instance, the Australian
aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders have been reported to be eight times more likely to
contract type two diabetes among the children than other the non. The condition affects the
production of insulin which is a chemical responsible for controlling blood sugars.
Statistics also that people who are overweight are more likely to contract type 2
diabetes. At least 30% of people who are overweight have diabetes, and 80 per cent of people
with diabetes are overweight. People who are obese tend to produce a lot of fatty acids which
increase the risk for insulin resistance. These statistics are a clear indication that its
predominantly caused by lifestyle (Huo et al., 2018, p. 57). In Australia, drastic measures and
campaigns against all forms of diabetes are ongoing. Their primary aim is to help kick out
preventable diabetes and the complications that it comes along within Australia.
Campaign discussion from group
In the year 2015, it was discovered that apart from the aboriginal and Torres strait
islander people, the older people (65 and above) were also very much susceptible to type 2
diabetes than the younger population (Deng et al 2018, p. 32). This was common in the
Australian rural areas where access to medical care was a little difficult compared to those
living in the urban areas. These two groups of people recorded high numbers of deaths from
diabetes related complications like kidney failure than those recorded in the urban area. The
statistics were linked to the low socioeconomic status of the older people and those living in
rural areas.
The second group that was found to have growing numbers in the number of people
with diabetes were young adult men from 18 years to 30. This age group is muchly
characterized with a lot of activities and experimentation (Rendell.,2017, p. 42) The increase
is mostly fueled by inactivity and increase in weight.

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Health Discrepancies Between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Australians
The big difference experienced in the health gap between the indigenous and the non-
indigenous people in Australia is due to a combination of extensive history, social and
cultural factors as well as a proximal health risk factor. In the year 2011-2012, it was noted
that the aboriginals and the Torres Strait islanders were at least three times more likely to
contract type two diabetes among the adults and a whopping eight times more likely among
the children than the non-indigenous people (Koye et al., 2019, p. 61-72).
Some other types of disparities between the two ethnics in Australia are that the
aboriginals have higher infant mortality, lower levels of education, and a shorter life
expectancy than the non-indigenous people. One of the reasons for this parity is social and
cultural differences. Some health conditions can be caused by the way people play, eat, work
and live their lives. This implies that their levels of education, employment and cultural
disconnection from the other people plays a big part too.
The disadvantages brought by their way of life may have long term social, economic
and cultural determinants dating back to before civilisation. The changes that took place after
colonisation had a massive impact on the lives of indigenous people. Starting from the
physical activities to nutrition which are primary contributors to type 2 diabetes. The first
case of diabetes among the aboriginal and Torres strait islanders was recorded in the year
1923 (Smith McNaughton & Meyer, 2016, p. 43). Before this case, there had been zero
reports of the indigenous people contracting metabolic conditions. The earliest detailed
development on metabolic diseases among the Torres strait islanders was fist taken in the
1960s. By this time, diabetes had affected many people because of the high rate at which their
lifestyle changed. Some of the activities that increased their risk factor include;

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Type two diabetes is more likely to affect people with the following characteristics;
first, people who have blood pressure and high blood cholesterol. High blood pressure
increases the risk of getting diabetes by 50% (Milne et al., 2018, p. 58). This is because blood
pressure causes some blood complications and kidney failure, which may alter with the
working of insulin in the blood. Second, smoking of tobacco, low levels of physical activities,
poor diet and obesity are also contributed to the increase in diabetes among the aboriginals
and the Torres Strait islanders. Besides, the level of poverty among the indigenous people has
fuelled drug usage and increased crimes and violence. This has turned their communities into
chaos. Due to this parities, the government came up with an initiative called closing the gap
whose primary aim was to help improve the health, education and living standards of the
indigenous tribes. Though some significant improvements in the fight, there is still a lot of
work to be done.
Health Promotion Campaign against diabetes
Due to the high numbers of people with type 2 diabetes, a lot of campaigns have been
started all around the country. Some aimed at creating awareness, others for raising funds to
help people with diabetes with treatment and management of the disease. Furthermore, the
government has developed a strategy to update and prioritise the national response to diabetes
across all walks of life in Australia.
One of the biggest campaigns for diabetes in Australia is the Take Diabetes 2 Heart
campaign. The campaign was launched to help people with diabetes to take it positively so
that they can manage the condition. The campaign also called upon all families with a person
or people who have type two diabetes to support them as they battle through life. It was
launched in the year 2010 when it was noted that some patients who were diagnosed with
type two diabetes did not take it positively and managed it but got stigmatised to the extent of

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needing some psychological help (Eh,.et al., 2018, p. 12-16) Some even went ahead and
committed suicide because of lack of information.
My diabetes campaign would be all about raising funds to help those affected by the
condition in managing through maintaining proper diet and insulin treatment. The primary
drive will be all about fundraising through institutions, organisations and personal donations.
The campaign will involve a half marathon that will take place in the country’s capital
Sydney. For one to participate in the marathon, they will have to pay some amount and buy
some advertisement T-shirt for the marathon. The raising of funds will kick off three months
before the marathon. This will give time for the students and other individuals to raise enough
funds for the campaign.
After the fundraising, the money will be channelled into the various hospitals and will
be assigned to all those who take their type two diabetes therapies in that facility
indiscriminatingly (Holmes-Truscott et al., 2019, p. 76). This will help thousands of type two
diabetes patients who are struggling financially to pay for their treatments.
Conclusion
In conclusion, type two diabetes had been a significant health concern for years now,
but the numbers are still on the rise. This calls for the attention of the general Australian
population to take a close look at their lifestyle, especially their feeding habits and physical
activities. This rise in numbers has led to an increase in other illnesses like kidney failure,
stroke and some diabetic heart diseases. A combination of these diseases has made diabetes
the biggest killer metabolic illness in history. Campaigns around the world have been a big
success and in helping patients cope with the condition and have also created awareness on
the matter.

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