The Australian Government is increasing its support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with diabetes-related foot problems.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with or at risk of diabetes-related foot problems and amputations, will receive increased support thanks to a new Morrison Government-funded initiative.
The government will invest $6 million over two years to fund the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Diabetic Foot Complication Project.
The project, which aims to reduce illness and death as a result of diabetes foot-related complications and amputations, will be run by a consortium that includes the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute and Diabetes Australia, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health organisations, clinical researchers, vascular surgeons, diabetologists, allied health professionals, and diabetes educators.
Indigenous Australians experience diabetes at a rate three times that of non-indigenous Australians. Diabetes hospitalisations and deaths are more common among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians than other Australians, and diabetes foot-related problems disproportionately affect Indigenous Australians.
The project will be conducted across South Australia, Northern Territory, Western Australia and Far North Queensland where it will assess the burden of diabetic foot-related complications in indigenous Australians, define best practice, improve clinical care, and better equip health workers to provide foot care needs.
