5 June 2022
Why diabetes has an image problem that hurts
The Foundation Director of Australia’s leading behavioural research centre in diabetes (ACBRD), Professor Jane Speight today presented to the 82nd Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association on how harmful diabetes stigma can be to people living with this serious condition.
2021
26th Annual Scientific Meeting
22 October 2021
The 26th Annual Scientific Meeting of the PsychoSocial Aspects of Diabetes (PSAD) Study Group has just concluded, bringing together 84 delegates across 18 countries, from Canada to Australia. There are approximately 60 million people with diabetes in the European region, and 463 million worldwide. Prevalence is increasing across all types of diabetes, and all age groups. Psychosocial aspects play a huge part in the optimal health and quality of life of all people with diabetes, and their families.
23 September 2021
MTPConnect and the Minister for Health and Aged Care, The Hon. Greg Hunt MP, today announced $5.2 million of funding for seven diabetes and cardiovascular disease research projects through the Targeted Translation Research Accelerator (TTRA) initiative. The TTRA, a Medical Research Future Fund initiative delivered by MTPConnect, is supporting new research approaches to improve the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and management of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and their related complications.
Improving the Lives of Australians Through Health and Medical Research
23 September 2021
The Morrison Government is investing $9.2 million in 12 new health and medical research projects, transforming their ideas into innovative, life-saving medicines, devices and treatments for the patients of the future. Through our landmark Medical Research Future Fund, the Government is providing $9.2 million across two programs – $5.2 million to develop new approaches that tackle diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and $4 million to develop new medical technologies to treat a range of conditions.
Heads Up – End the diabetes blame and shame
11 July 2021
Widespread community misunderstanding and stigma about diabetes are driving high rates of mental health problems for people living with diabetes experts warned today. Despite nearly two million Australians living with diabetes, it is one of the most misunderstood and stigmatised health conditions in the country with the condition firmly on the research and policy agenda.
2020
Professor Jane Speight appointed first woman to chair the PSAD Study Group
22 October 2020
Professor Jane Speight, the Foundation Director of the Australian Centre for Behavioural Research in Diabetes (ACBRD)*, has recently been appointed Chair of the PsychoSocial Aspects of Diabetes (PSAD) Study Group. Professor Speight is the 5th Chairperson and first woman to hold the position in PSAD’s 25-year history.
A decade of difference in diabetes
19 August 2020
The Australian Centre for Behavioural Research in Diabetes (ACBRD) has just reached another milestone by celebrating its 10th birthday. Since 2010, the ACBRD has changed the way many people think and talk about diabetes by putting behavioural and psychosocial aspects of living with the condition firmly on the research and policy agenda.
1.35 million Australians with diabetes take a double hit from COVID-19
12 July 2020
People with diabetes have been hit extra hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. Not only has the pandemic impacted their physical health – with disrupted access to diabetes services and the higher risk of serious COVID-19 related illness – but for more than 40% of people with diabetes, COVID-19 has had a negative impact on their mental or emotional health..
2019
One in four Australians with type 2 diabetes avoid insulin because of psychological factors
17 October 2019
Up to one in four Australians with type 2 diabetes are reluctant to commence using insulin, even if it is recommended by their healthcare team.
2018
Local Pakenham resident receives funding for vital diabetes research
29 November 2018
Jennifer Halliday, an Associate Research Fellow at the Australian Centre for Behavioural Research in Diabetes (ACBRD)*, recently received funding from the Diabetes Australia Research Program (DARP) to adapt and trial an innovative consultation tool to improve care for people living with type 1 diabetes.
Survey lifts the lid on diabetes stigma in New Zealand
1 November 2018
“You shouldn’t be eating that.” “I don’t tell people I have diabetes.” “You’re not invited.” “You brought it on yourself.” These are just some of the kinds of comments highlighting that stigma for those living with diabetes is alive and well in New Zealand.
2017
Diabetes is associated with anxiety symptoms
10 October 2017
Research shows that moderate-to-severe anxiety symptoms, an indication of a potential anxiety disorder, affect one in five people with insulin-treated type 2 diabetes and one in six with type 1 diabetes or non-insulin treated type 2 diabetes.
Strong link between diabetes and depression
5 April 2017
This year’s World Health Day (Friday 7 April) focuses on depression. Globally, around 350 million people of all ages and from all walks of life suffer from depression. People with depression are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes and depression is more common and highly recurrent in people with diabetes.
Psychological barriers to insulin therapy may delay timely treatment
30 March 2017
New research shows that one in four Australians with type 2 diabetes is not willing to use insulin despite their doctor’s recommendation, with this group reporting more concerns or fears about the insulin therapy.
Fear of hypoglycaemia impacts emotional well-being and diabetes management
25 January 2017
A new resource from the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) details why people living with diabetes fear hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose levels) and how they cope with their risk of hypoglycaemia.
2016
It’s time to recognise distress caused by diabetes
24 November 2016
A new National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) resource has recently been released titled Diabetes and emotional health: A handbook for health professionals supporting adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
24 August 2016
A new report shows almost 70 per cent of Australians with diabetes find peer support helps their diabetes self management, improves their wellbeing, and helps them connect to health services.
24 August 2016
A new handbook discussed today at Australia’s foremost diabetes conference will give health professionals the strategies and tools to better recognise and work with people with diabetes to reduce the significant psychological burden of diabetes.
2015
Psychological wellbeing a serious issue for teenagers with diabetes and families
16 July 2015
A new report released today highlights the psychological, wellbeing and quality of life issues facing young Australians with type 1 diabetes and their parents.
Diabetes hits 280 new Australians each day
14 July 2015
As part of “Diabetes Week,” a new national campaign was launched on 12 July by Diabetes Australia that aims to educate the public about the current diabetes epidemic.
3 out of 4 Australians underestimate the diabetes epidemic
12 July 2015
New research* released by Diabetes Australia today shows that three out of four people substantially underestimate the prevalence of diabetes and over 60% of people don’t link diabetes to its major complications including heart attacks, stroke, anxiety and depression.
Busting the myths about type 2 diabetes
9 July 2015
When it comes to misunderstood medical conditions in Australia, type 2 diabetes is hard to beat. Despite more than one million Australians having type 2 diabetes, and around 280 new cases diagnosed every day, many people struggle to separate fact from myth.
5 year collaboration celebrates better quality of life for people with diabetes
30 April 2015
Diabetes Victoria and Deakin University have renewed their collaboration agreement to support the Australian Centre for Behavioural Research in Diabetes (ACBRD) – a welcome present for the researchers who celebrate the ACBRD’s fifth anniversary tonight (Thursday 30 April).
2014
Public health awards for Deakin
23 September 2014
Two Deakin high flyers in public health have achieved success at the recent inaugural awards ceremony of the Council of Academic Public Health Institutions Australia (CAPHIA).
ACBRD receives the CAPHIA 2014 Team Award for Excellence and Innovation in Public Health Research
18 September 2014
The inaugural national awards for excellence and innovation in public health teaching and research were announced on 18 September 2014 by the Council of Academic Public Health (CAPHIA) at its annual Forum in Perth.
Mental toll of diabetes reveals need to look beyond blood sugar
28 August 2014
Alarming rates of depressive symptoms and distress among Australians with diabetes have prompted calls for doctors, pharmacists and diabetes educators to focus as much on mental health as they do on blood glucose management.
8 August 2014
A new Diabetes MILES Youth Study will be the largest ever to focus on the psychological wellbeing of young Australians living with diabetes.
30 June 2014
All five of Deakin’s latest round of Pozible research projects have achieved the funds required to proceed.
Study finds type 1 and type 2 diabetes are equally psychologically challenging in young adults
06 October 2014
New research shows that young adults with type 2 diabetes experience similar levels of depression and anxiety symptoms as young adults with type 1 diabetes
New projects explore what’s Pozible
9 May 2014
Deakin's latest round of crowdfunding projects has been launched, with five new projects now seeking support.
2011
ACBRD celebrates year of success
22 August 2011
The Australian Centre for Behavioural Research in Diabetes (ACBRD) celebrated its first birthday this month, along with 12 months of success.