You and diabetes

Diabetes is a serious condition caused when there is too much glucose (a type of sugar) in the blood.
There are two kinds of diabetes – type 1 and type 2. Type 2 diabetes is the most common kind of diabetes, and the only type that can be prevented.

What is type 2 diabetes?

Insulin is a hormone made by your body to control your glucose levels. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body becomes resistant to the effects of insulin, or no longer produces enough to maintain normal blood glucose levels.

Risk factors for type 2 diabetes

Lifestyle factors that increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes include:

• Being overweight, especially around the waist
• Low levels of physical activity
• Unhealthy eating habits
• Family history and ethnicity
• High blood pressure and/or high cholesterol
• A history of heart disease
• Smoking

How type 2 diabetes can affect you

People with diabetes are at risk of developing severe complications such as:

• Heart attack and/or stroke
• Kidney failure
• Blindness
• Amputation
• Sexual dysfunction

Your diabetes risk score

During your WorkHealth check you were given your diabetes risk score. This is known as the AUSDRISK score (Australian Type 2 Diabetes Risk Assessment Tool).

What does your score mean?

5 or less: Low risk

If you scored 5 or less you are at low risk of developing type 2 diabetes within 5 years. Approximately one person in every 100 will develop diabetes.

6 to 11: Medium risk

If you scored 6 to 11 you are at medium risk of developing type 2 diabetes within 5 years.

For scores of 6 to 8, approximately one person in every 50 will develop diabetes.

For scores of 9 -11 approximately one person in every 30 will develop diabetes.

12 or more: High risk

If you scored more than 12 on the diabetes risk test, you are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the next 5 years. For scores of 12 - 15 approximately one person in every fourteen will develop diabetes. 

For scores of 16 - 19, approximately one person in every seven will develop diabetes. For scores of 20 and above, approximately one person in every three will develop diabetes. 

Prevention of type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed by making changes to your lifestyle, such as:

• Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight
• Being physically active
• Following a healthy, balanced diet.

What can you do if you are at risk of type 2 diabetes?

Lifestyle changes are sometimes difficult to initiate and maintain by yourself. Getting support and
guidance can increase your chances of success. Workers at risk of diabetes can take part in programs free of charge to help you improve your health.

To work out which program is right for you, you need to know your AUSDRISK score. (Turn to page 6 of ‘Your WorkHealth Check’ under Test 1 to find out). 

AUSDRISK score of 6-11

WorkHealth Coach 

WorkHealth Coach is a free, confidential, telephone-based support program, here to help you reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes and/or cardiovascular disease. 

Over a six-month period, you'll receive regular calls from your own personal WorkHealth Coach, who is a trained health professional such as a nurse. They will help you set goals for better health and support you in achieving them.

If you've had a WorkHealth check and would like to participate in WorkHealth Coach, you can enrol at any time by calling 1800 002 685.

AUSDRISK score of 12 or more

Life! Taking Action on Diabetes programs

If you scored 12 or more, you can take part in the Life! Taking Action on Diabetes programs. There are two programs available:

• Group based program
• Telephone health coaching

Group based program

The tailored six session course, run by trained health professionals will provide you with advice, skills and support to make changes to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.

Telephone health coaching program

The telephone health coaching program will assist you to set and achieve goals to reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes. A health coach will contact you to help you set your goals, and put a plan in place to achieve them.

The health coach will phone you at regular intervals to review your progress and offer additional support that you may need to meet your goals.

To enrol in either of these programs, please call 13 RISK (13 7475).

 

For more information and tips on preventing type 2 diabetes, you can download the Diabetes Fact Sheet.