Diabetes prevalence in Australia: detailed estimates for 2007-08

Summary

This report presents the most up-to-date estimates of the number of people with diagnosed diabetes in Australia based on self-reports to the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ 2007–08 National Health Survey.

Key findings:

• In 2007–08, an estimated 898,800 Australians had been diagnosed with diabetes (excluding gestational diabetes) at some time in their lives.
• 87,100 had been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.
• 787,500 had been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.
• 56% of those diagnosed with diabetes were male and 44% were female.
• About 96% of people with diabetes were 35 years old or more, and 43% were aged 65 years or more.
• The proportion of people with diabetes was similar in all states and territories, after accounting for differences in age.
• After accounting for differences in age, the proportion of people with diabetes was similar in major cities, regional areas and remote areas.