In a major win for Australia’s diabetes community, the International Diabetes Federation Western Pacific Region (IDF WPR) Congress 2026 will be held in Melbourne, led by Australia’s leading diabetes organisations.

The Congress is the region’s most significant diabetes event and will be held in conjunction with the Australasian Diabetes Congress (ADC). The events will be co-hosted by Diabetes Australia, Australian Diabetes Society and Australian Diabetes Educators Association.

The event is expected to attract more than 2,500 global leaders in diabetes care, research, education and advocacy to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre over four days from August 18-21. Delegates will include clinicians, researchers, policy experts, educators and people living with diabetes from across the Western Pacific, the IDF’s largest and most affected region.

With 215 million adults in the Western Pacific now living with diabetes, which is the fastest-growing chronic condition in Australia, the Congress will serve as a critical platform for accelerating action, shaping policy and forging new collaborations to improve outcomes for people living with or at risk of diabetes.

“This Congress could not come at a more urgent time for Australians living with diabetes,” said Diabetes Australia Group CEO Justine Cain.

“Globally, one person is diagnosed with diabetes every 3 seconds. In Australia, more than 300 people are diagnosed every day.

“The impact of this costly condition is being felt across the nation. Hosting this Congress sends a clear message: diabetes is a national and global health emergency, and we are committed to working with the world’s best minds to deliver impact and innovation.”

“This congress is a chance to hear and learn from world-leading researchers, clinicians and health professionals. It will elevate the voices of people living with diabetes and shape policies that will save lives and reduce the burden of diabetes on our health system,” Ms Cain said.

Diabetes costs the Australian health system around $14.6 billion each year. Experts warn that without coordinated action the economic and social toll will continue to escalate.

Associate Professor Sof Andrikopoulos, CEO of the Australian Diabetes Society, said the Western Pacific region is at the epicentre of the global diabetes crisis.

“This Congress is an opportunity to showcase the latest research and evidence-based innovations in prevention, treatment and management. From cutting-edge therapeutics to integrated models of care, the program will support practical outcomes for health systems and people living with diabetes.”

“Australian researchers are already leading the way in diabetes technology and clinical practice. The Congress will foster the critical exchange of knowledge across borders and disciplines.”

Australian Diabetes Educators Association CEO Susan Davidson said credentialled diabetes educators (CDEs) and other health professionals from around the region would gather in Melbourne for the Congress which is an important professional learning opportunity.

“There is an urgent need in Australia and the Western Pacific region for better access to CDE services and hosting this conference in Melbourne will enable health professionals in the region to learn about the latest and most significant developments in diabetes management and care, as well as develop their professional networks and knowledge-share with their regional colleagues.”   

“Aligning the IDF Congress with ADC will continue to ensure CDEs and other health professionals have access to the most up to date advice for people living with diabetes,” Ms Davidson said.

The Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) joined in the successful bid for the IDF WPR Congress, with support from the Victorian Government and Tourism Australia’s Business Events Bid Fund Program.

New research from the University of Sydney reveals that the number of Australians living with diabetes may be up to 35 per cent higher than previously estimated.

The findings raise critical questions about the size of one of Australia’s most serious chronic health conditions.

The study, published in Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, applied a sophisticated algorithm to integrated health data from Medicare, hospital records, and pharmaceutical claims. The results suggest there could be more than two million Australians living with diabetes, many of whom are currently missing from the official diabetes register.

Lead author Emma Cox, PhD Candidate from the Leeder Centre for Health Policy, Economics and Data, said the research highlights a much larger and more diverse population living with diabetes, particularly older Australians, people in remote areas, and culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

“This isn’t just a data issue, it’s a public health issue,” Ms Cox said. “A significant number of Australians are missing from national statistics. That makes it harder to plan services, allocate funding, and deliver prevention strategies where they’re most needed.”

The research was partially funded in 2017 by a Diabetes Australia Research Trust grant and builds on longstanding calls for better integration of medical data to understand the true burden of chronic disease.

Professor Grant Brinkworth, Director of Research at Diabetes Australia, said the findings offer a compelling call to action.

“This study tells us what many of us in the sector have said for years: we’re not seeing the full picture of diabetes in Australia,” Professor Brinkworth said. “Understanding the true scale is essential if we want to improve outcomes for individuals and manage the national impact of this condition.”

The study also found that many people who are living with diabetes are managing the condition through lifestyle changes or medications like metformin, groups who may be less likely to register with the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS).

“If people aren’t visible in the data, they’re also invisible to policy and funding decisions,” Professor Brinkworth added.

The research reinforces the importance of improved screening, earlier diagnosis, and greater health system integration to ensure every person affected by diabetes is counted, supported, and resourced.

Diabetes Australia is committed to working with the Australian Government and health sector to ensure barriers to registration are removed with appropriate investment in the NDSS to enable timely registration and accurate reporting.

Read the full study: Is the burden of diabetes in Australia underestimated? – Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice

In December 2024, we, Diabetes Australia, announced a $40 million investment commitment to diabetes research over the next decade – the largest ever commitment to diabetes research by a non-government funder in Australia.

Diabetes Australia’s leadership of research into all aspects of diabetes is crucial as the national peak body, representing the approximately 2 million Australians living with all types of diabetes and those at significant risk.

Over the past 100+ years, research has led to better understanding and the development of new technologies and medicines that have transformed the lives of people living with all types of diabetes.

But there is more to do.

The number of Australians living with diabetes continues to rise, including a 33 percent increase in people living with type 2 diabetes over the past decade. Diabetes complications continue to have a devastating impact on people’s lives and the health system. There remains the imperative to build on the valiant efforts and investment to-date to find a cure for type 1 diabetes.

Despite this great need to do more, funding for diabetes research has declined by more than 36 percent over the past decade.

Our commitment, which we will use to expand and extend the combined research efforts of the entire Australian research ecosystem – universities, private sector and government, seeks to address this erosion of funding. Working in collaboration with partners, we believe that we can have a profound and significant impact on Australia’s world-class diabetes research sector and to meaningfully contribute to the life changing benefits that it can achieve.

Future-focussed strategic approach to research

Diabetes Australia has been listening to the research sector and the millions of people living with diabetes and those at risk whose lives we are collectively striving to improve.
We have an ambitious goal – to eliminate the impact of diabetes on Australians. We want people living longer, healthier lives, and to ultimately work with the sector (both domestically and internationally) to find a cure.

Research is the only pathway to a ‘cure’ – whether through outright prevention, elimination of the condition or fully effective and seamless management of its impacts.

Following extensive consultation during 2024, we will soon release a new research strategy for diabetes in Australia, that is aligned with feedback from across the sector and importantly includes the feedback of Australians living with diabetes, and those at risk. Our ambitious approach to research responds to the challenges being faced by the sector and will harness the opportunities new technologies like artificial intelligence promise.

Our very significant financial commitment and fresh strategy will drive research to positively change the lives of people living with diabetes, including by:

• Investing in the diabetes research sector across all research areas (basic, clinical, health systems/ services, economic and public health)
• Prioritising investment to address the unmet needs of the diabetes community, and centralising lived experience throughout the research process
• Supporting the career development of early-to-mid career researchers, clinicians, and diabetes educators in order to encourage a thriving, dynamic and globally competitive research community
• Advocating strongly for increased diabetes research funding from government, industry, philanthropy, and donors
• Building capacity of the diabetes research sector that includes leveraging Diabetes Australia’s research investment to amplify research effort and seek greater funding from more sources, including by funding pilot projects leading to larger grants
• Establishing initiatives to grow capacity and collaboration, including upskilling programs and research networks.

Delivering on this future-focussed approach will require new approaches to governance and how we manage our investment to deliver the greatest impact for the sector and to change lives.

2026 research funding opportunities opening soon

In line with our investment commitment and aligned with our refreshed strategic approach to research, Diabetes Australia is pleased to advise that our next round of funding opportunities will be announced on 14 April 2025.

This will include 15 project grants valued at $100,000 each, a range of other grants, partnership awards and scholarships/ fellowship opportunities that will build capacity of the Australian diabetes research sector in alignment with Diabetes Australia’s mission and the priorities and expectations of our donors. This commitment, along with our philanthropic growth endeavours and partnering approach (such as the recently announced partnership with NIB Foundation valued at $750,000), reflects our determination to support and help build a thriving research community in Australia, along with other valued organisations across the diabetes research sector.

Further information on the available research awards opportunities available will be provided on 14 April 2025 via the Diabetes Australia website and Smarty Grants portal.

This next round of funding opportunities is in addition to Diabetes Australia’s initial Diabetes Community Priorities Grants funding round opened in late 2024, and will bring Diabetes Australia’s investment in research over the next 12 months to in excess of $3 million. In alignment with Diabetes Australia’s strategic approach to research, this funding format focuses on addressing the research priorities and unmet needs of people living with diabetes and the diabetes community, facilitating meaningful consumer and community engagement throughout all stages of the research lifecycle and to understand translational impact pathways to improve the lives of people living with diabetes sooner.

Australian diabetes researchers are working to find a cure for diabetes, learn more about prevention and complications management, and ultimately support people with diabetes to live longer, healthier lives.

Diabetes Australia is proud to support our world leading researchers.

Justine Cain
Group Chief Executive Officer
Diabetes Australia

With the Federal Election date now set for May 3, Australia’s leading diabetes advocacy organisations are calling for election commitments to expand affordable access to life changing technologies for people living with diabetes.

The cost-of-living crisis is hitting Australians hard, with many people living with diabetes forced to choose between essential medical technology and basic necessities. The latest Diabetes Australia cost of living survey found that for 61 percent of people, the cost of diabetes medicines and technologies was their greatest challenge. 

Diabetes Australia Group CEO Justine Cain said Australians living with all types of diabetes should have equitable access to the technology they need to live well.

“Nobody should have to decide between good health care and putting food on the table,” Ms Cain said.

“The bi-partisan support to expand continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) device subsidies for people living with type 1 diabetes in 2022 was welcome and much needed, and we thank both the Government and the Opposition for that.

“Unfortunately, people living with type 2 diabetes requiring multiple daily insulin injections are still being denied the same subsidy. On top of that, thousands of Australians living with type 1 diabetes who can’t afford top level private health insurance are not able to afford insulin pumps.

“This situation cannot continue. Not only are we falling behind the diabetes technology provided in many other developed nations, but as a country we are now failing to provide what is considered standard care in the management of diabetes. There is clear evidence that access to diabetes technologies reduces overall healthcare costs for both the individual and the healthcare system.

“A person’s bank balance or postcode should not be a barrier to good health,” Ms Cain said.

In its policy paper Equitable Access to Diabetes Technology, Diabetes Australia recommends a $200 million investment over four years to expand subsidised access to diabetes technologies for key priority groups as a first step. 

Expanding subsidies for CGM devices will provide access for approximately 22,000 people living with type 2 diabetes, and expanding subsidies for insulin pumps will increase access to a further 16,000 people living with type 1 diabetes.

James Lequertier, 80, lives with type 2 diabetes, and says access to a CGM has helped him a lot. But as a self-funded retiree, he’s paying more than $200 a month out of pocket.

Despite maintaining a healthy weight and living an active lifestyle with no family history of the condition, James was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes 30 years ago and has been using insulin since 2000.

“Since I started using a CGM six months ago, my HbA1c has dropped to 7.8%. It’s because I can finally see what’s happening with my blood glucose in real time,” James said. “Just swapping in crispbread instead of eating regular bread at lunch has made a difference, but I wouldn’t have known that as easily without CGM.

“It’s impossible to achieve continuous monitoring with a lancing device, commonly known as a finger prick.”

He says CGM has made managing his diabetes easier and safer, but the cost is a burden.

“What price do you put on your health?” James said.

James has written to both the current and former Federal Health Ministers urging them to subsidise CGM for people with type 2 diabetes who are dependent on insulin.

“There’s a lot of people who have much higher glucose levels than me. They should be able to access the diabetes technology that would help them.”

Technology that supports the management of blood glucose is critically important, given the health complications that can arise when they do not remain within a healthy range. 

More than 1.5 million Australians are living with diabetes and 500,000 are living with undiagnosed diabetes. More than 300 people are diagnosed every day and it is estimated the number of people living with diabetes in Australia will exceed 3.1 million by 2050.

Diabetes Australia, the Australian Diabetes Society and the Australian Diabetes Educators Association say the diabetes epidemic in Australia is at a crisis point. It is time for both the ALP and Coalition parties to make a public commitment to address the current inequity in the system that gives some people access to technologies while others go without.   

The growing epidemic of diabetes is one of the most complex health challenges facing our nation. The latest Australian Institute of Health and Welfare data estimates that 10 percent of all hospitalisations in Australia in 2021-22 were associated with diabetes.

There has never been a more critical time to act.

Modelling released this week by the Association of Australian Medical Research Institutes (AAMRI) Victorian branch shows the financial viability of the sector is at a crisis point. For every dollar received in government funding, institutes have to find an additional 64 cents to cover the full cost of research, and 50 percent of institutes expect to reduce their workforce in 2025.

This dire state of research funding in Australia unfortunately extends to diabetes research.

Over the past decade, the number of Australians living with type 2 diabetes has increased by 33 percent, yet funding for diabetes research has declined by more than 36 percent over the same period.

Diabetes Australia, Australian Diabetes Society and Australian Diabetes Educators Association are calling on the Federal Government to address this funding crisis in the Federal Budget.

In the past year alone more than 116,000 people registered with the National Diabetes Services Scheme – more than 300 people per day. In reality the number of Australians living with diabetes could be as high as 2 million.

Australian diabetes researchers are working to find a cure for diabetes, learn more about prevention, and ultimately support people with diabetes to live longer, healthier lives enabled by the latest scientific discoveries.  This can only be achieved by increasing investment in research.

In its joint prebudget submission the organisations have demonstrated that investing in research is vital to address the diabetes epidemic. It would take pressure off the health system, reduce inequality, and protect Australia’s world class research workforce.

The Federal prebudget submission calls for:

• $50 million over 5 years To Fund Diabetes Priority Areas To Improve The Lives of People Living With Diabetes for research into the causes of type 2 diabetes, prevention and remission.

• $75 million over 5 years To Fund Diabetes-specific Investigator Grants to Attract and Retain The Best And Brightest Diabetes Researchers.

The Diabetes Alliance has called on the Federal Government to commit to, and fund, the recommendations of the Parliament Inquiry into Diabetes.

In a submission to the Federal Budget process, the Alliance highlighted key priorities from the recommendations including access to diabetes technologies, investment in research, support for the diabetes workforce and investment in prevention. 

With over two million Australians living with diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes, the condition is the cause of a growing crisis costing the health system $3.4 billion annually.

The Parliamentary Inquiry report, The State of Diabetes Mellitus in Australia, includes 23 recommendations including support for expanding access to diabetes technologies, coordinating diabetes research, better funding the diabetes workforce and investing in diabetes prevention. The recommendations are a comprehensive package of measures that would begin to stem the tide of Australia’s diabetes epidemic

Diabetes Australia’s position statement on equitable access to technology formed part of the budget submission. It advocates for a staged approach to expanding subsidies for insulin pumps for people living with type 1 diabetes and continuous glucose monitoring devices for people living with type 2 diabetes.

More funding for diabetes research is also a key focus for the Federal Budget. A decline in funding for diabetes research in Australia has had a significant impact on the field.

In 2023, NHMRC (the Australian Government’s primary health and medical research funding agency), provided only $19 million for diabetes research, which is less than half of the amount allocated in 2022.

A budget submission from the Australian Diabetes Society, Diabetes Australia and the Australian Diabetes Educators Association calls for $50 million in funding for priority areas of research including the causes of diabetes, prevention and remission, complications, and the rates of diabetes in the general population; as well as $75 million for diabetes-specific investigator grants.

The sector acknowledges and celebrates the Federal Government’s announcement last year to fund the Clinical Research Network of JDRF Australia. This is a significant investment in type 1 diabetes research. The Alliance is advocating for investment in other areas of diabetes research as well.

The Australian Diabetes Alliance

The Australian Diabetes Alliance comprises the country’s major diabetes organisations in collective advocacy for the sector: Diabetes Australia, the Australian Diabetes Educators Association, the Australian Diabetes Society, JDRF Australia, the Australasian Diabetes in Pregnancy Society, and the Australian and New Zealand Society for Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes.

Tasmania’s stunning landscapes will once again play host to Pollie Pedal Tasmania 2025, a three-day cycling event to raise funds and awareness in support of people living with diabetes.

From Friday, February 28 to Sunday, March 2, cyclists of all levels will have the chance to ride alongside Deputy Premier Guy Barnett, who lives with type 1 diabetes, and help make a lasting difference in their community.

With only one month to go until the riders start pedalling, Deputy Premier Barnett is encouraging the community to get involved.

“Pollie Pedal is more than a cycling event. It’s a statement of hope and solidarity,” said Deputy Premier Barnett, who is a passionate advocate for diabetes awareness.

“As someone living with type 1 diabetes, I know firsthand how critical it is to support the people and families affected by this condition.

“The event not only raises much-needed funds for diabetes, but it also brings people together. I’m honoured to be part of it again this year and encourage everyone to register or donate,” he said.

This is Pollie Pedal’s 18^th ride and it has become a cornerstone event in Tasmania, raising over $850,000 since 2006 to fund vital diabetes programs and research. Participants will traverse picturesque coastal roads and rolling hills, uniting for a shared mission to reduce the impact of diabetes on individuals and families.

Diabetes Australia’s Group CEO, Justine Cain, applauded the Tasmanian community’s enduring support for Pollie Pedal.

“This event embodies the spirit of Tasmanians: generous, united, and driven by purpose,” Ms Cain said. “Every kilometre ridden and every dollar donated takes us closer to a future free from diabetes.

“We’re so proud to stand with Guy and all the participants who inspire us with their dedication and enthusiasm.”

This event comes at a time when two million Australians are living with diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes, and even more are living with prediabetes, including 88,000 people in Tasmania.

“Diabetes, if not managed appropriately, can lead to devastating complications such as limb amputation, kidney disease, heart attack and vision loss,” Ms Cain said.

“Worryingly, rates of diabetes have increased by 32% nationally over the past decade.

“We need urgent action to stem the tide of this epidemic and support people who are living with diabetes. Community events like Pollie Pedal support us to do that important work,” she said.

Russell James is a Registered Nurse as well as a lecturer at the University of Tasmania and has a strong family history of type 1 diabetes. He lives in Hobart with his wife and two boys, William, 11, and Xavier, 10. Both Russell and Xavier live with type one diabetes.

“My family’s journey with type 1 diabetes spans generations: my father, my aunt, myself, and now Xavier. Initiatives like Pollie Pedal raise awareness and funds that will help break this cycle for future generations,” Dr James said.

“Cycling alongside Xavier is a powerful reminder that diabetes doesn’t define us. With the right support, education and determination, we can overcome any obstacle and keep moving forward.”

Deputy Premier Barnett, Xavier and Russell James are pictured above after speaking with journalists today at a press conference on the lawns of Hobart’s Parliament House to raise awareness of the upcoming ride.

Pollie Pedal isn’t just for seasoned cyclists; it’s for anyone passionate about making a difference. The event offers an opportunity to experience Tasmania’s breathtaking scenery while contributing to a cause that affects so many.

To register as a rider, sponsor, or donate, visit Pollie Pedal 2025 on Diabetes Australia website or email PolliePedal@diabetesaustralia.com.au.

Join us in the journey toward healthier, happier futures for all Tasmanians.

Fast Facts about Pollie Pedal Tasmania 2025:

• Dates: Friday, February 28 to Sunday, March 2, 2025
• Who can participate? Cyclists of all skill levels
• Funds raised since 2006: Over $850,000
• Cause: Supporting Tasmanians living with diabetes and funding prevention efforts

Together, let’s pedal for change.

About Diabetes Australia

Diabetes Australia is the national organisation supporting all people living with or at risk of diabetes. We put people first. We work in collaboration with member organisations, consumers, health professionals, researchers and the community.

For more information visit: www.diabetesaustralia.com.au

Diabetes Australia has announced it will invest $40 million in diabetes research over the next 10 years.

In light of the current crisis in government funding for diabetes research, Diabetes Australia is committed to supporting the country’s world leading diabetes researchers in their efforts to find a cure.

Group CEO Justine Cain said Diabetes Australia, as the national peak body, was steadfast in its resolve to provide leadership around research funding.

“Research is the key to changing the future of diabetes in Australia. It creates hope for a cure, and for better day-to-day management, which is vital for people living with diabetes,” Ms Cain said.

“This significant commitment, by Diabetes Australia, will provide greater certainty for our diabetes research community and grow its life changing impact in discovering better treatments, and ultimately a cure for all types of diabetes. We are unwavering in our commitment to support the community,” she said.

Diabetes Australia will engage with the research community and people living with diabetes in early 2025 to design an approach that ensures that this $40 million investment achieves maximum impact over the next 10 years.

Australian Diabetes Society CEO Professor Sof Andrikopoulos said the research community welcomed the announcement.

“Understanding the condition’s process and its complications is the only way we can ensure people living with diabetes can live well. This can only happen with significant investment in research,” Associate Professor Andrikopoulos said.

Diabetes Australia has also announced that the new Diabetes Community Priority Grants will open for applications next week, providing a minimum of four grants of up to $100,000 each.

The program will fund projects that address the research priorities and unmet needs of the diabetes community as well as amplify lived experience voices.

“We recognise that research needs to be centred in lived experience, so through these grants we are involving people who live with diabetes throughout the research process,” Ms Cain said.

“These new grants signal our commitment to ensuring the diabetes community has a strong voice in research.”

Diabetes Australia’s Director of Research Professor Grant Brinkworth said having people with lived experience at the centre of research would change the focus of research efforts around Australia.

“Our commitment is to identify the needs of the diabetes community and fund the research that develops evidence-based solutions to address those needs.” 

The new grants will encourage applicants to describe the potential translation and impact of the proposed project, so that research with real-world application can be identified.

Diabetes Australia has also announced the 2025 Diabetes Australia Research Program (DARP) recipients.

The 2025 awards include eight general grants and three prestigious awards: the 2025 Charles Coghlan OAM Emerging Researcher Award (funded by a bequest to Diabetes Australia and Diabetes Victoria), the 2025 Millennium Type 1 Award, and the 2025 Millennium Type 2 Award.

Projects span a variety of disciplines including the development of a novel formulation for the treatment of type 1 diabetes, and a better understanding of the link between gestational diabetes (the fastest growing type of diabetes) and type 2 diabetes.

During National Diabetes Week, Diabetes Australia announced a $250,000 investment in a new Diabetes Technology Research Accelerator Grant, designed to fast-track the development of new diabetes technologies. The program will create evidence-based, real-world solutions for people living with diabetes.

On the back of that announcement was the establishment of the Australian Diabetes Clinical Trials network, a groundbreaking new collaboration with ACADI.

Ms Cain emphasised the significance of these initiatives for diabetes research.

“Diabetes Australia is committed to research, to elevating lived experience voices, and to changing lives,” she said.

The Diabetes Australia Research Program relies on the generosity and support of member organisations, corporates, and individual donors. Find out more about how to support us.

Applications for Diabetes Community Priority Grants will be open until February 2025.

2025 DARP recipients

Recipient	Institute	State	Project Title
Dr Amanda Brandon	The University of Sydney	NSW	The effect of age and sex on metabolic health
Professor Jonathan Gleadle	Flinders University	SA	The Diabetic Kidney: Size Matters
Dr Tanja Jankovic-Karasoulos	Flinders University	SA	Altered placental hormones in response to elevated folic acid: Proposed mechanism for the rise in gestational diabetes in Australia
Dr Lennart Kuck Kellion Diabetes Research Grant	Griffith University	QLD	Red blood cells – the forgotten players driving cardiovascular complications in type 2 diabetes
Associate Professor Costan Magnussen	Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute	VIC	Intersecting Stages: Early-life factors to forecast type 2 diabetes in adulthood
Mrs Simone Marschner	The University of Sydney	NSW	Understanding the link between gestational diabetes and subsequent type 2 diabetes onset: genetic and non-genetic factors
Dr Magdalene Montgomery	University of Melbourne	VIC	Uncovering novel regulators of hepatic glucose metabolism and glycaemic control
Associate Professor Tongzhi Wu	The University of Adelaide	SA	Regulation of glucose homeostasis by renal ‘sweet taste’ sensing in people with type 2 diabetes

2025 Award Recipients

Charles Coghlan OAM Emerging Researcher Award (funded by a bequest to Diabetes Australia and Diabetes Victoria)
Dr Jedidiah Morton
Addressing inequality in type 2 diabetes development, treatment, and outcomes.

Millennium Type 1 Award
Dr Rong Xu
Novel formulation for the treatment of type 1 diabetes

Millennium Type 2 Award
Associate Prof Adam Rose
Role of liver amino acid metabolism in glucagon pharmacotherapies for type 2 diabetes.

We are excited to announce an opportunity to contribute to the future of diabetes research in Australia.

Diabetes Australia and the Australian Centre for Accelerating Diabetes Innovation (ACADI) have collaborated to establish the Australian Diabetes Clinical Trial Network (ADCTN), a research initiative designed to increase clinical trial activity in Australia. Clinical trials ensure new treatments deliver real benefits to people, while also identifying any potential risks or side effects.

The ADCTN will support diabetes researchers by providing expert peer review and lived experience perspectives for clinical trial protocols, offering feedback to strengthen research protocols and proposals. Our purpose is to promote and facilitate local and international diabetes clinical trials in Australia.

Lived experience and expertise in diabetes clinical research are invaluable in ensuring new diabetes treatments deliver real benefits. We invite you to bring your voice and clinical insights to our new research network to help shape better outcomes for all affected by diabetes.

The ADCTN is currently seeking new members for the Executive Committee and the Reviewer Panel to help in the trial review process.

Open Positions

1. Executive Committee Member

• The Executive Committee governs and guides the activity of the ADCTN through scientific leadership, strategic management, and peer engagement.
• The Executive Committee will include both people living with diabetes and researchers experienced in conducting clinical trials.

2. Reviewer Panellist

• The Review Panel will be engaged on an as-needed basis for expertise in specific areas of diabetes. 
• Panellists will include both people living with diabetes and researchers experienced in conducting clinical trials.
• ADCTN will provide an annual certificate to acknowledge the contributions for those who review for the ADCTN. 

Click here to submit your expression of interest:

https://q.surveys.unimelb.edu.au/jfe/form/SV_9XFNnwj8g0e7pXw

Research into time-restricted eating for people living with type 2 diabetes, funded by the Diabetes Australia Research Program, has just been published.

The Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice journal reported results from the study by Dr Evelyn Parr (pictured) and her team, which found time-restricted eating (TRE) may help people manage type 2 diabetes. TRE means people eat all their food within a certain time window each day.

The recent study, conducted between 2021 and 2022 at the Australian Catholic University, included 51 people with type 2 diabetes, aged 35 to 65, who were split into two groups. One group practiced TRE, eating only within a set 9-hour period each day, while the other group were guided by dietitians on how to improve their diet by focusing on healthier foods and cutting down on fats and carbohydrates. Both groups were monitored for six months.

The results showed that both TRE and dietitian guidance helped people improve their blood glucose management, and improvements were similar between the two groups. Participants in both groups lowered their HbA1c levels within the first two months, and these improvements lasted for the full six months.

The results also showed that TRE helped people naturally reduce their carbohydrate intake, while dietitian guidance helped people cut down on fats.

The researchers have concluded that TRE could be especially useful for people who don’t have easy access to dietitians, such as those living in rural and remote areas. Since TRE doesn’t need a detailed meal plan, it can be guided by general healthcare workers, making it a practical and easy option for many.

As with all lifestyle changes, people living with diabetes are encouraged to discuss any new eating plan with their health professional before making a change.

While there is no one-size-fits-all, and individual choice is an important part of managing diabetes, this research suggests that TRE could be a valuable first step for some.

Diabetes Australia congratulates Dr Parr and her team on the publication of their research in Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice.