Indicator 2.3 Prevalence of type 1 diabetes
Considerations
- There are currently no national data on the prevalence of type 1 diabetes at all ages, but there are estimates for children and young adults.
- The relatively low prevalence of type 1 diabetes, in addition to issues regarding accuracy of reporting relating to diabetes type (i.e. type 1 vs type 2), means producing reliable estimates further disaggregated by age group, sex and population characteristics is currently challenging.
Overview
As at 31 December 2018, 20,700 children and young adults aged 0–24 had type 1 diabetes in Australia, equating to a prevalence rate of 261 per 100,000 population.
Trends
The age-standardised prevalence of type 1 diabetes among children and young adults aged 0–24 remained relatively stable during 2013–2018, between 261 and 264 per 100,000 population (Figure 2.3.1).
Age and sex
In 2018, age-standardised rates were slightly higher among males aged 0–24 than females aged 0–24 (266 and 256 per 100,000 population, respectively) while overall, more than two-thirds (67%) were aged 15–24.
Population groups
In 2018, the age-standardised prevalence of type 1 diabetes among children and young adults aged 0–24 was higher in Inner regional and Outer regional areas (169 and 149 per 100,000 population, respectively), compared with 134 per 100,000 population living in Major cities (Figure 2.3.2). Rates were slightly higher among the lowest socioeconomic areas compared with the highest socioeconomic areas (263 and 235 per 100,000, respectively) (Figure 2.3.2).
State and territory
In 2018, the age-standardised prevalence of type 1 diabetes among children and young adults aged 0–24 was highest in Tasmania, with 320 per 100,000 population. The age-standardised prevalence of type 1 diabetes among children and young adults aged 0–24 was lowest in the Australian Capital Territory, with 195 per 100,000 population. Other states had prevalence rates ranging from 249 to 290 per 100,000 population (Figure 2.3.2).
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young adults aged 0–24, there were 208 cases of type 1 diabetes per 100,000 population in 2018. After adjusting for age, Indigenous children and young adults were less likely to have type 1 diabetes than their non-Indigenous counterparts (197 and 232 per 100,000, respectively) (Figure 2.3.2).
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