Type 2 Diabetes in Indigenous Australians: A Nursing Perspective

This essay addresses the critical issue of type 2 diabetes among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia, where its prevalence is significantly higher compared to the non-indigenous population. The essay highlights the stark contrasts in morbidity and mortality rates, attributing the increased risk to factors such as changes in lifestyle, poor dietary habits, and reduced physical activity following the adoption of a Westernized way of life. It emphasizes that while conventional treatments involve lifestyle modifications, blood glucose monitoring, and medication, a more holistic approach encompassing socio-economic factors and embracing beneficial aspects of traditional lifestyles is essential for effective prevention and management. The essay concludes by underscoring the urgent need for attention to this health concern to mitigate further devastating consequences within these communities. Desklib provides a platform for students to access similar essays and study resources.

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Type 2 diabetes has been classified as the most common chronic illness in Australia.
Native and Torres Strait Islander individuals are at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes
compared to the non-indigenous population base. Studies reveal that the commonness of type 2
diabetes in Indigenous individuals is 3 to 4 times higher that of non-Indigenous Australians
(Diabetesaustralia.com.au,2018).
Critical contrasts were found between the morbidity and mortality rate on account of
TIIDM among the indigenous and the non-indigenous population bases. It should be noted here
that a huge gap in terms of wellness have been detected between the indigenous and non-
indigenous population base (Diabetesaustralia.com.au,2018). The mortality rate in aboriginals is
much higher than the non-aboriginals. TIIDM has been studied to be accompanied with a wide
range of other health complications such as cardiovascular disorders, renal complications and
poor eye sight. It should be critically noted here that statistical figures reveal a 30% hike in the
prevalence rate of the disease in indigenous community members compared to the non-
indigenous individuals (Burrow & Ride, 2016). This has made the issue a serious health concern
in Australia that requires immediate attention in order to avoid further devastating consequences.
In Australia, the increase in number of individuals affected with type 2 diabetes is
majorly characterized by factors that include stoutness, diminished physical activity and
unhealthy dietary intake (Seaquist et al., 2013). There is no proof to demonstrate that Aboriginal
individuals had diabetes, or different conditions influenced by way of life, for example, heart and
vein illness, heftiness or hypertension, when they carried on with a customary way of life.
Presently, with less Aboriginal individuals carrying on with a customary way of life, and all the
more being presented to the present Westernized way of life, with nourishments that are low in

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fiber and wealthy in fat and sugar, liquor, cigarette smoking and an inactive way of life, their
once-proficient digestion may now act against them (Seaquist et al., 2013).
Treatment of type 2 diabetes includes way of life modification (weight reduction, dietary
changes, expanding physical movement), observing blood glucose and, if fundamental, solutions
to enable monitor to glucose (oral hypoglycaemic pharmaceuticals) or, now and again, insulin
infusions (Seaquist et al., 2013). Treatment likewise includes customary screening for
inconveniences of diabetes (Harris et al., 2013). Obviously, the fruitful aversion and
administration of diabetes in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people group envelops a more
extensive picture, in which financial and social elements and political intercession all have an
influence. In any case, given that a Westernized way of life is a major supporter of the
advancement of sort 2 diabetes, proof has demonstrated that embracing the advantageous parts of
the conventional way of life can help enhance the soundness of individuals with diabetes, and
could help keep the improvement of diabetes in those in danger.

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References
Burrow, S., & Ride, K. (2016). Review of diabetes among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
people.
Diabetesaustralia.com.au (2018). Diabetes Australia. [online] Diabetesaustralia.com.au.
Available at: https://www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/ [Accessed 20 Oct. 2018].
Harris, S. B., Bhattacharyya, O., Dyck, R., Hayward, M. N., & Toth, E. L. (2013). Type 2
diabetes in Aboriginal peoples. Canadian journal of diabetes, 37, S191-S196.
Seaquist, E. R., Anderson, J., Childs, B., Cryer, P., Dagogo-Jack, S., Fish, L., ... & Vigersky, R.
(2013). Hypoglycemia and diabetes: a report of a workgroup of the American Diabetes
Association and the Endocrine Society. Diabetes care, DC_122480.