NDW24 - Diabetes Feet Australia

It’s National Diabetes week and this year's theme focuses on fair and equitable access to diabetes technology.

Over the past 100 years, advances in technology and medicines have delivered significant improvements in quality of life and health outcomes for people living with all types of diabetes. These advances, particularly in diabetes technology, have been game changing. For people living with diabetes who use this technology, it is life changing and life saving.

And as part of NDW2024, Diabetes Australia have released a new position statement outlining the steps needed to create more affordable access to continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices and insulin pumps for people with all types of diabetes.

'These technologies aren’t affordable for many people, despite their life changing impact. That's why we're calling on the Federal Government to invest $200 million over four years in increased subsidies. Australians living with all types of diabetes should have equitable access to the technology they need to live well.'

Content courtesy of Diabetes Australia

LEARN MORE ABOUT NDW2024

ACCESS POSITION STATEMENT

Are you up to date with the latest in DFD technology?

Catch up on conversation from our 2023 Webinar series where Professor Bijan Najafi (USA) walked us through the latest in DFD clinical and research technology followed by an insightful Q&A session about how useful smart technology is in the care of people living with diabetes-related foot disease.

Foot care is vital for people with diabetes and fortunately, many foot problems are preventable. With daily foot checks and recommended lifestyle changes, many people with diabetes are able to prevent foot ulcers and their more serious complications, such as amputation. By introducing simple steps into your daily routine, the risk of foot problems can reduce significantly. So...how well do you know your feet?

Download our updated diabetes feet health passport that walks you through the daily steps to help take care of your valuable feet.

DOWNLOAD PASSPORT

DOWNLOAD CHECKLIST

Here at DFA, our aim is to improve feet health outcomes for people at-risk of and living with diabetes-related foot disease. And part of that is providing clinical education for busy health professionals where you can listen and learn on the go! Each month we're releasing an episode from one of our two podcast series. So pop those earphones in and get ready for some insightful and educational listening.

In this episode, host Professor Viv Chuter listens to and learns from Michael Pigram, a proud Ngarigo and Dharug man living on Darkinjung Country. This episode privileges Michael’s teachings and his lived experiences. Michael talks about centring culture in health and healing, connection to Country, and cultural responsiveness in foot care services.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction and Acknowledgment
01:20 Living with Diabetes
06:30 Culture in Foot Health
10:25 Differences Between First Nations Health Services and Mainstream Health Services
13:07 The Importance of Time, Resources, and Support in Foot Disease Treatment
23:20 Culturally Safe and Responsive Care
26:58 Education and Step-by-Step Approaches in Foot Disease Management
29:37 The Impact of Foot Disease on Connection to Country
31:45 Conclusion

ELEANOR DUNCAN ABORIGINAL SERVICES

TAKEAWAYS

For First Nations Peoples, cultural determinants of health including family and Community, Country and place, and cultural identity are central to health and wellbeing.

Centring culture in health and healing for diabetes-related foot disease can mean delivery of services on Country, sharing decision making with family, and learning about and privileging cultural protocols.

Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services deliver holistic healthcare by First Nations people, for First Nations people.

Taking time, listening deeply to First Nations Peoples and acknowledging and being responsive to cultural needs are key for non-Indigenous health professionals to create culturally safe services.

ABOUT THE SERIES

Diabetes Feet Australia and health professionals across the nation have recognised we need to support better foot health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, particularly those living in rural and remote communities.

An essential part of this is us listening to and developing an understanding of the lived experience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples living with diabetes-related foot disease.

We invite you to listen to our DFYarn Podcast series, where our aim is to listen and learn about the lived experiences of diabetes feet health and disease in our First Nations Communities, in health settings, and the impact more broadly.

ALSO AVAILABLE TO LISTEN ON

In 2017, we released the 2018-2022 National Strategy for diabetes-related foot disease with the aim to ensure that all people living with DFD have access to and receive safe quality evidence-based care when and where they need it, and that future investments in research and development would continue to strive to improve their care delivery and health outcomes over time.

The DFA team has been busy, and the next national strategy for diabetes-related foot disease is now in its final development stages with the draft strategy releasing for public consultation in November 2024.

So...get ready as we'll be inviting you to have your say in helping to guide our national diabetes-related feet health and disease priorities.

We know that in Australia, every 2 hours a person with diabetes has a minor or major amputation as a direct result of diabetes-related foot disease. We also know it’s a complex diabetes complication involving many moving multi-disciplinary parts all working towards finding the best outcome. However, the focus of the podiatrist is different to that of a vascular surgeon. The focus of a person living with a diabetes foot ulcer is different to a person at risk of developing diabetes-related foot disease.

Diabetes Feet Day provides a national annual day where diabetes-related foot heath & disease is front & centre. Featuring activities to encourage clinical discussion and involvement, interactive awareness messaging, practical education and fact sheets. So, save the date and stay tuned for more releases in the lead up to the big day. Where we’re starting at the very beginning by asking a simple question...