Diabetes Victoria, formerly known as Diabetes Australia-Victoria is the leading

charitable organisation A charitable organization or charity is an organization whose primary objectives are philanthropy and social well-being (e.g. educational, religious or other activities serving the public interest or common good). The legal definition of a ch ...

and peak consumer body working to reduce the impact of diabetes based in Victoria, Australia. Founded in 1953, they support and campaign for Victorians who are affected by

type 1 diabetes Type 1 diabetes (T1D), formerly known as juvenile diabetes, is an autoimmune disease that originates when cells that make insulin (beta cells) are destroyed by the immune system. Insulin is a hormone required for the cells to use blood sugar for ...

Gestational diabetes Gestational diabetes is a condition in which a woman without diabetes develops high blood sugar levels during pregnancy. Gestational diabetes generally results in few symptoms; however, it increases the risk of pre-eclampsia, depression, and of ...

type 2 diabetes Type 2 diabetes, formerly known as adult-onset diabetes, is a form of diabetes mellitus that is characterized by high blood sugar, insulin resistance, and relative lack of insulin. Common symptoms include increased thirst, frequent urination, ...

and

prediabetes Prediabetes is a component of the metabolic syndrome and is characterized by elevated blood sugar levels that fall below the threshold to diagnose diabetes mellitus. It usually does not cause symptoms but people with prediabetes often have obesit ...

, as well as those at risk. They aim to reduce the effect of diabetes in Victoria, to assist with the procurement of diabetes medication, and to find a cure for diabetes. They are a member of

Diabetes Australia Diabetes Australia is the third oldest diabetes association in the world, after the United Kingdom and Portugal. Originally established in the state of New South Wales (NSW) in 1937, the organisation's head office is now in the nation's capital, ...

Campaigns

Diabetes Victoria has had various campaigns to help reduce the cases of diabetes. As a member of the Obesity Policy Coalition, Diabetes Victoria lobbied against tax-payer funded surgeries for controlling weight, such as

gastric bypass surgery Gastric bypass surgery refers to a technique in which the stomach is divided into a small upper pouch and a much larger lower "remnant" pouch and then the small intestine is rearranged to connect to both. Surgeons have developed several differ ...

, claiming that they do not address the root causes of diabetes and for stricter control over the

toy A toy or plaything is an object that is used primarily to provide entertainment. Simple examples include toy blocks, board games, and dolls. Toys are often designed for use by children, although many are designed specifically for adults and pet ...

s given away as part of

kids' meal The kids' meal or children's meal is a fast food combination meal tailored to and marketed to children. Most kids' meals come in colorful bags or cardboard boxes with depictions of activities/games on the bag or box and a toy inside. Most sta ...

s, in an effort to reduce childhood obesity. They also promote healthier lifestyles by encouraging Victorians to walk more, as a form of exercise. In addition to working to reduce the number of cases of diabetes, Diabetes Victoria has advocated for adequate treatment for those afflicted by the disease and conducted research aimed at combating the practice of diabetics skipping insulin shots as a means of losing weight.

References

External links

Official web site
{{Authority control Medical and health organisations based in Victoria (state) Diabetes organizations