Just over half of the total health expenditure relating to
diabetes in Australia is spent on people aged 65 and over,
according to a new report released today by the Australian
Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).
Of the estimated $784 million spent on treating diabetes in
2000-01, $419 million was for people aged 65 and over.
AIHW report author Tracy Dixon said that Type 2 diabetes, the
most common form of diabetes, became more common with age, and
expenditure followed this pattern.
'Looking across the age groups there is a general rise, but you
can see that the big increase in expenditure begins from the 35-44
years age group, and this is the age group where Type 2 diabetes
begins to appear.'
Diabetes is estimated to affect around 1 million Australians,
although up to half of these people may not be aware that they have
the condition.
Ms Dixon says that Type 1 diabetes constitutes 10-15% of cases
in Australia, but accounted for about a quarter of the total
recurrent expenditure on diabetes ($180 million) due to higher
pharmaceutical costs and greater use of allied health and
outpatient services.
'Type 2 diabetes accounts for 85-90% of cases and 77% of total
health expenditure on diabetes.
'This means there is potential for substantial savings for
governments, organisations, and individuals,' says Ms Dixon.
The AIHW report, Costs of Diabetes in Australia,
2000-01 ranks diabetes fifteenth out of 200 diseases in terms
of total recurrent health expenditure, with the average health
expenditure per known case of diabetes in 2000-01 at $1,469.
Ms Dixon says that the greatest proportion of health expenditure
went towards hospital services.
'A total of 37% ($289 million) was spent on hospital services,
followed by expenditure on pharmaceuticals (26%, $204 million) and
then out-of-hospital medical services (23% or $183 million).'
A total of $204 million was spent by the Australian Government
and people with diabetes on antidiabetic drugs and diabetes testing
reagents.
'Although insulins made up only 10% of the 4.6 million
prescriptions for antidiabetic drugs in 2000-01' says Ms Dixon,
'these accounted for 60% of expenditure on antidiabetic drugs.'
1 April 2005
Further information: Tracy Dixon, AIHW, tel. 02
6244 1103, or mobile 0407 915 851.
For media copies of the report: Publications
Officer, tel. 02 6244 1032.
Availability: Check the AIHW Publications
Catalogue for availability of the Costs of Diabetes in
Australia, 2000-01, April 2005.