Vic: Diabetes test to identify Victorians at risk

AAP General News (Australia)
08-28-2007
Vic: Diabetes test to identify Victorians at risk

MELBOURNE, Aug 28 AAP - Victorians will be urged to measure their waistlines and count
their intake of fruit and vegetables under a new diabetes risk test, unveiled today.

The eight-point tick test is part of the Victorian government's $18.35 million Life!
Taking Action on Diabetes program.

It seeks to identify people at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes, based on eight
questions about weight, diet, exercise and medical and family history.

The test will be available on the internet.

Aboriginal Victorians and seniors aged over 50 who score poorly will be able to take
part in an intensive six-session lifestyle overhaul program designed to get participants
in shape.

The government will also embark on a marketing campaign to warn the public of the risks
of type 2 diabetes, known as the lifestyle disease.

Premier John Brumby said almost 200,000 Victorians have the disease with another 500,000
at high risk.

"We've got a major challenge right across Victoria and right across Australia with
how we tackle diabetes, it is a growing epidemic," Mr Brumby said.

"Some would say it poses as big a health challenge as the postwar smoking epidemic
presented for our community.

"Over the past decade we've seen a combination of poor diet, lifestyle (and) we've
seen the prevalence of type 2 diabetes doubling."

Diabetes costs Australia more than $3.7 billion a year, according to a 2005 Access
Economics report.

In June, a Victorian Auditor-General's report found Victorian health agencies and government
departments had failed to arrest the growing rate of obesity.

The diabetes test can be taken by logging on to www.goforyourlife.vic.gov.au.

AAP cmb/gfr/cjh/mn

KEYWORD: DIABETES

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