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World Diabetes Day: check your risk before symptoms start

17 hours ago
2 min read
World Diabetes Day. Check your diabetes risk. Illustration of a person sitting at a kitchen table with a cup of tea and a bowl of fruit, orchard rows through the window

World Diabetes Day is Saturday 14 November. The theme for 2026 is "Early action on diabetes". The focus is on finding diabetes early and lowering your risk.

This is important because type 2 diabetes is easy to miss. It develops slowly over years and many people have no symptoms at all. For some people, the first sign is a complication such as vision problems or a wound that does not heal well.

How common is it?

Almost 1.3 million Australians are living with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Australia estimates that up to 500,000 more may have it without knowing.

Type 2 makes up 85 to 90% of all diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is different. It is not caused by lifestyle factors and it can occur at any age.

Are you at higher risk?

The risk of type 2 diabetes rises with age. Diabetes Australia says you are at higher risk if you:

  • have a family history of diabetes

  • are over 55

  • are over 45 and are overweight or have high blood pressure

  • are over 35 and from an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background

  • are over 35 and from a Pacific Island, Indian subcontinent or Chinese cultural background

  • have had gestational diabetes or given birth to a baby over 4.5 kg

  • have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)

  • have used steroid medicines long term for certain conditions

Signs that are easy to dismiss

When symptoms do appear they are sometimes put down to getting older. They can include:

  • being very thirsty

  • passing urine more often than usual

  • feeling tired or hungry

  • blurred vision

  • frequent infections

  • wounds that heal slowly

If you notice any of these see your GP.

Check your own risk

The Australian Type 2 Diabetes Risk Assessment Tool (AUSDRISK) asks 11 short questions. It estimates your risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the next five years. You can do it online with Diabetes Australia's risk calculator.

A score of 6 to 11 is medium risk and worth talking to your GP about. A score of 12 or more is high risk. Diabetes Australia suggests asking your GP to check for diabetes as part of your next check-up.

Healthdirect advises having your risk checked every 3 years from age 40. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, screening blood tests are recommended every year from age 18.

What can lower your risk

You can't change your age or family history. There is still plenty you can do. Diabetes Australia says almost 60% of type 2 diabetes cases can be delayed or prevented with changes to diet and lifestyle. Healthdirect suggests:

  • keeping to a healthy weight

  • being physically active

  • eating healthily

  • not smoking

  • limiting alcohol

Talk to your GP

If your score came back medium or high or you can't remember your last diabetes check ask your GP about it.

To make an appointment at Your Health Griffith, call 02 6962 7661 or book online through HotDoc.

Already living with diabetes? The NDSS Helpline offers support on 1800 637 700.

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