THE rate of diabetes in Marangaroo, Alexander Heights, Girrawheen and Koondoola is one of the highest in Perth.
According to National Diabetes Services Scheme statistics, there are more than 2100 people living with diabetes in the 6064 postcode, which equates to 5.7 per cent of the area’s population.
The national average is 5.1 per cent and most northern suburbs postcodes are between 3 and 4 per cent.
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READ NOWDiabetes WA health services manager Helen Mitchell said 91 per cent of those residents had Type 2 diabetes.
“A diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes is serious and can lead to life-threatening complica-tions,” she said. “These figures show a high number of people in Marangaroo and the surrounding suburbs need assistance in making lifestyle changes to improve their health.”
Mrs Mitchell said health was often low on people’s priority list. “Often parents and carers work full time and there are barriers to making healthy choices including time, cost and convenience,” she said. “It is important to provide support and clear actions to make healthier choices the easier choices across-the-board.”
The figures also showed high overall diabetes rates in Carabooda, Alkimos and Yanchep and an extremely high prevalence of Type 2 diabetes in Nowergup.
Type 1 rates were above average in Alkimos, Carabooda, Burns Beach, Kinross, Iluka Currambine, Hamersley, Butler and Jindalee while gestational diabetes was common in Neerabup, Carramar, Banksia Grove, Yanchep and the 6065 postcode, which includes Tapping, Wanneroo, Madeley and Landsdale.
Diabetes WA is running an education session in Marangaroo this Saturday for people living with Type 2 diabetes.
It is free for NDSS registrants and $10 for others; bookings are essential at community@diabeteswa.com.au.