More than one million Australians have diabetes and if diabetes continues to rise at the current rates, up to three million Australians over 25 years will have diabetes by 2025. Improving our understanding of what triggers the progression of diabetes and development of serious complications has the potential to reduce death and disability for these Australians, as well as to reduce healthcare costs. In order to advance understanding in this pivotal area, the Baker Institute is establishing a major study of 2500 people with diabetes who will be studied over several years. A collaboration involving experts from the Baker Institute, the Centre for Eye Research Australia, Deakin University, and Diabetes Victoria will identify the biomedical, psychological and behavioural factors that lead to the development of serious complications of diabetes. These complications include blindness, kidney failure, heart disease and cognitive impairment. The study is unique in that it will take a holistic approach to addressing the behavioural and psychological factors that impact on self-management.
This study will also look at the underlying biological factors that drive disease progression. The powerful combination of laboratory scientists with clinical and population health researchers will deliver new ways of predicting who is going to develop serious complications, identify new avenues for therapy, and aid in the development of tools to assist people in managing their condition.
Support this project
To support or find out more about this proposed project, please call us on 1800 827 040.