Diabetes Australia

Diabetes Australia is the peak body for diabetes in Australia. It is a not-for-profit organisation originally mandated as an extended support group for people with diabetes, but also invests in research, health services, provision of self–management products and services, public awareness programs, and the development of national policies about diabetes.

Diabetes Australia has delivered the National Diabetes Services Scheme since the Scheme was established in 1987.^[1] The organisation was established in 1983 as the Australian Diabetes Foundation, a merger of the pre-existing Diabetes Federation of Australia (established 1957) and several other bodies. The earliest diabetes organisation in Australia is what is now Diabetes NSW & ACT, which was established in 1937. Diabetes Australia's head office is in Canberra.

The Diabetes Association of Australia (now Diabetes NSW & ACT) was formed in 1938 to promote diabetes awareness in New South Wales. Diabetes organisations for South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria were later formed in the 1950s, intended as "self-help organisations aiming to improve the lives of people with diabetes through practical guidance and public education".^[2]

Following discussions between the existing state organisations, the Diabetes Federation of Australia (DFA) was established in Sydney in 1957 to serve as an official national body and representative to the International Diabetes Federation. The inaugural conference was held in October 1957 and was addressed by the federal health minister Donald Cameron.^[3] Ruby Board, a prominent diabetic and women's activist, was elected as the inaugural president.^[4] The DFA soon expanded with the addition of the Diabetic Association of Western Australia (founded 1965), the Diabetic Association of Queensland (founded 1968), and the Canberra Diabetes Centre (founded 1971).^[2]

In March 1983, a joint meeting was held between the DFA and the Australian Diabetes Society (ADS), which had been founded in 1973 for medical practitioners and researchers specialising in diabetes. The two organisations agreed to merge and establish the Australian Diabetes Foundation (ADF), with several other diabetes-related organisations also joining the new organisation over the following decade. The ADF changed its name to Diabetes Australia in 1987.^[2]

Diabetes Australia works in partnership with diabetes health professionals, educators and researchers to minimise the impact of diabetes on the Australian community. Diabetes Australia is committed to turning diabetes around through awareness, prevention, detection, management and a cure.

Diabetes Australia raises awareness about the seriousness of diabetes, promotes prevention and early detection strategies and advocates for better standards of care. Diabetes Australia is also a significant financial contributor to research into better treatments for diabetes and the search for a cure.

Diabetes Australia is involved in two publications, one for medical specialists, and another for the broader public.

Circle is a quarterly magazine covering health and welfare issues for people with diabetes, and available through membership of Diabetes Australia including state and territory based member-organisations. Circulation is around 140,000.^{[citation needed][when?]} The DFA began publishing a quarterly journal soon after its creation, initially named The Diabetic and later renamed Conquest in 1959 and Circle in 2015.^[2]

Diabetes Management Journal (DMJ) is a free magazine containing information and advice for general practitioners, endocrinologists, diabetes educators, optometrists and podiatrists, who receive it through their professional associations. Its circulation is around 40,000.^{[citation needed][when?]}

In November 2022, the organisation released a report called Change the Future: Reducing the impact of the diabetes epidemic which highlights a number of looming challenges in Australia's diabetes epidemic.

• Diabetes Australia Victoria
• Diabetes NSW & ACT

• Diabetes Australia