Type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes mellitus
Almost one million people in Australia have type 2 diabetes, a metabolic condition that affects your body’s ability to regulate the amount of glucose (a type of sugar) in your blood.
High blood glucose levels can cause a range of different symptoms, and — over time — complications, if diabetes is not monitored and managed.
Type 2 diabetes can be successfully managed using lifestyle measures and medicines, and the more you know about your condition, the better. Find out more about what causes type 2 diabetes, how it is diagnosed and monitored, and who can help.
To find out more about other types of diabetes, read our information on type 1 diabetes, which usually starts in childhood and gestational diabetes, which only affects pregnant women.
Information for health professionals
The prevalence of diabetes, along with that of the associated cardiovascular disease, is increasing in Australia.
Diabetes impacts quality of life and life expectancy as a result of microvascular complications and the increased risk of macrovascular complications.
Good glycaemic control is critical, and addressing lifestyle factors, blood pressure and blood lipids is just as essential.
The NPS program Type 2 diabetes: priorities and targets focusses on the role of drug treatments in reducing cardiovascular risk for people with type 2 diabetes.