Brisbane: Energizer and Diabetes Australia Type 2 Diabetes Risk Assessment

Up to 36,000 Brisbanites may have silent, undiagnosed type 2 diabetes, and not know it.

Type 2 diabetes is the fastest growing chronic condition in Australia, and locals are being urged by Energizer® and Diabetes Australia to take a free risk assessment and consultation with a health professional at a special event in central Brisbane.

Available from 8am to 2pm at King George Square on Friday 14 July as part of National Diabetes Week, the free two-minute assessment includes a digital questionnaire providing a risk score, which participants can then discuss with on-site health professionals.

Office workers in particular may be at higher risk of type 2 diabetes due to sitting at a desk for long periods.

Research suggests that people who spend more time sitting have a 112 per cent higher risk of type 2 diabetes, and 77 per cent of the working day is spent sitting.

Up to half a million Australians may already be living with type 2 diabetes without their knowledge.

'Many people may have type 2 diabetes for up to seven years before being diagnosed.  During this time, half will develop one of the serious diabetes complications," says Diabetes Australia CEO Professor Greg Johnson.

'Early detection is vital to saving lives and preventing debilitating and costly health problems related to diabetes including vision loss and blindness, foot ulcers and limb amputation, kidney damage, and heart attacks and stroke."

In support of National Diabetes Week, Energizer® will also be donating $1 from each specially marked pack purchased throughout the month of July.

'We are proud to support Diabetes Australia in its efforts to raise awareness of diabetes and its significant impact within the community," said David Pattinson, Marketing Director, Energizer®.

The funds raised will help Diabetes Australia to raise awareness of early detection and diagnosis of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

National Diabetes Week is from 9 to 15 July 2017. More than 78,000 Brisbanites are living with diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.