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Working Towards Eye Health Equity for Indigenous Australians with Diabetes

Author

Listed:
  • Jose J. Estevez

    (Wardliparingga Aboriginal Health Equity Theme, South Australia Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide SA 5001, Australia
    Flinders Centre for Ophthalmology, Eye and Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, Flinders University, Adelaide SA 5042, Australia)

  • Natasha J. Howard

    (Wardliparingga Aboriginal Health Equity Theme, South Australia Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide SA 5001, Australia
    Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide SA 5005, Australia)

  • Jamie E. Craig

    (Flinders Centre for Ophthalmology, Eye and Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, Flinders University, Adelaide SA 5042, Australia)

  • Alex Brown

    (Wardliparingga Aboriginal Health Equity Theme, South Australia Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide SA 5001, Australia
    Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide SA 5005, Australia)

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) poses significant challenges to individuals and broader society, much of which is borne by disadvantaged and marginalised population groups including Indigenous people. The increasing prevalence of T2DM among Indigenous people has meant that rates of diabetes-related complications such as blindness from end-stage diabetic retinopathy (DR) continue to be important health concerns. Australia, a high-income and resource-rich country, continues to struggle to adequately respond to the health needs of its Indigenous people living with T2DM. Trends among Indigenous Australians highlight that the prevalence of DR has almost doubled over two decades, and the prevalence of diabetes-related vision impairment is consistently reported to be higher among Indigenous Australians (5.2%–26.5%) compared to non-Indigenous Australians (1.7%). While Australia has collated reliable estimates of the eye health burden owing to T2DM in its Indigenous population, there is fragmentation of existing data and limited knowledge on the underlying risk factors. Taking a systems approach that investigates the social, environmental, clinical, biological and genetic risk factors, and—importantly—integrates these data, may give valuable insights into the most important determinants contributing to the development of diabetes-related blindness. This knowledge is a crucial initial step to reducing the human and societal impacts of blindness on Indigenous Australians, other priority populations and society at large.

Suggested Citation

  • Jose J. Estevez & Natasha J. Howard & Jamie E. Craig & Alex Brown, 2019. "Working Towards Eye Health Equity for Indigenous Australians with Diabetes," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-6, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:24:p:5060-:d:296925
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Stuart Keel & Joshua Foreman & Jing Xie & Peter van Wijngaarden & Hugh R Taylor & Mohamed Dirani, 2017. "The Prevalence of Self-Reported Diabetes in the Australian National Eye Health Survey," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(1), pages 1-10, January.
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