Chronic health

Western Sydney is regarded as a diabetes hotspot, with more than half the population overweight and at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. In Blacktown alone, residents are currently twice as likely to have diabetes compared to those in Sydney’s eastern and northern suburbs. 

We have been working with local partners to help tackle diabetes rates in our region by forming Western Sydney Diabetes (WSD). WSD is led by the Western Sydney Local Health District and Western Sydney Primary Health Network, Diabetes Australia and the Department of Planning and Environment and aims to spread awareness of the disease and help increase testing and diabetes management. This year, our team was proud to take part in the first face-to-face Western Sydney Diabetes Masterclass since 2019, as well as co-chairing the Western Sydney Diabetes Leaders Alliance meeting and Western Sydney Changing Diabetes. The Western Sydney Diabetes Leaders Alliance is now made up of over 140 alliance members committed to the cause.