Today, on World Diabetes Day, NACCHO and the Bupa Foundation are shining a light on the power of community-led action to change the trajectory of diabetes across Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
While the rate of diabetes-related deaths among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people has fallen, from 100 per 100,000 in 2008 to 70 per 100,000 in 2019, diabetes still contributes to 7.3 per cent of all deaths and continues to affect families across generations. In some regions, rates of type 2 diabetes are among the highest in the world.
Through the NACCHO | Bupa Foundation Health Strong, Diabetes Gone partnership, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are taking the next step, strengthening their workforce, improving early detection and prevention, and ensuring that culturally informed care is led from within.
Dr Jason Agostino, NACCHO Medical Advisor, said the progress is real, but the work is far from over.
“We’ve seen more people with diabetes achieving healthy blood sugar levels thanks to community-controlled care, but diabetes rarely occurs in isolation,” Dr Agostino said. “Most people starting dialysis in our communities have diabetes, and many also live with heart disease. While management is improving, the complex needs of our people require long-term investment and a tailored approach. We also need greater investment in prevention so we can break intergenerational cycles of diabetes.”
The Train the Trainer program, delivered through the NACCHO | Bupa Foundation partnership, builds local capability, confidence, and leadership across regions with a community-led approach. Since its inception, 16 trainers and assessors have completed the Diabetes Train the Trainer workshop and can now lead diabetes skillset training for Aboriginal Health Workers and Practitioners, including those in the Aboriginal Health Worker Traineeship Program.
Central to this initiative is the NACCHO Diabetes Learning Hub (LMS), a digital education platform designed by NACCHO to deliver culturally safe, evidence-based diabetes training and support for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce in our ACCHOs. The LMS provides flexible, on-demand learning that strengthens care coordination, improves early intervention, and enhances outcomes for families living with diabetes.
NACCHO Chair Donnella Mills said the collaboration reflects the heart of community control.
“Every improvement, every life changed, comes from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people leading the solutions, for our families and for the next generation,” Ms Mills said. “This partnership with Bupa Foundation is about more than training, it’s about trust, empowerment, and pride. When we build our workforce, we build the strength of our communities.”
NACCHO CEO Pat Turner AM said Health Strong, Diabetes Gone demonstrates what real partnership and long-term vision look like.
“Health Strong, Diabetes Gone shows what real partnership looks like, one built on trust, respect and community leadership,” Ms Turner said. “This is not about short-term fixes or symbolic gestures; it’s about investing in people, in training, and in the future of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. Our workforce is growing stronger every day, and with partners like Bupa Foundation standing beside us, we are proving that community control delivers better outcomes for our people. That’s the path to closing the gap, not through promises, but through shared purpose and action.”
Bupa Asia Pacific Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer, Roger Sharp, said the organisation is proud to stand alongside NACCHO in building a stronger, better-equipped workforce to combat diabetes.
“Through our partnership with NACCHO, we are supporting the knowledge, capability and leadership that exist in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Health Strong, Diabetes Gone is more than a program, it’s a shared commitment to supporting healthier futures,” Mr Sharp said.
This World Diabetes Day, NACCHO and the Bupa Foundation are calling for:
- Long-term, sustained investment in community-led diabetes prevention, screening, and care.
- Greater access to advanced therapies, continuous glucose monitoring, and emerging technology.
- Dedicated support for mothers, children, and families to break the cycle of intergenerational diabetes.
- Strengthening of the ACCHO workforce to deliver culturally safe care where it is needed most.
World Diabetes Day is a poignant reminder that progress happens when communities lead the way. The future of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, and truly closing the gap, depends on listening to, investing in, and backing community-driven solutions.
