DW Spring 2022 Editorial

We’ve all learnt a lot over the last few years about the importance of human connections. As a parent, wife, and member of the wider diabetes whānau, it’s become increasingly obvious that being in touch with the right professionals, services, and support groups is vital.

As Diabetes NZ’s vision to introduce Hauora Kaimahi – Diabetes Community Coordinators – becomes a reality in more areas across the motu, we look forward to helping people affected by diabetes connect to the things they need to live well.

It’s imperative that our community has timely, culturally appropriate, and informed access to medicines, technologies, and support when they need it. To that end, we also hope that the new health reforms, with their community focus, will connect with Diabetes NZ’s own efforts.

Access to the best tools for living well seems an obvious requirement. It’s not only about life-changing benefits for individuals and their whānau but also about cost savings for the health system.

The fact that we’re still advocating for funded access to simple, affordable, life-changing CGM technology for people with diabetes is frustrating. However, we won’t stop. We’ll continue to advocate to politicians, Pharmac, health professionals, and the general public. We urge our supporters to also keep raising the issue with GPs, pharmacists, and anyone who will listen.

In this issue, you’ll find more about our Hauora Kaimahi initiative, as well as an explainer about the reforms to our health system that came into effect on 1 July. We also profile some inspiring young people living with type 1, including Aotearoa’s newest International Diabetes Federation Young Leader, Laura Snowden, and the 2021 John McLaren Youth Award winners. All of them have something to say on the topic of CGMs!

On another note, spring is in the air and soon pollen will be as well. In this issue, we look at how hayfever can affect diabetes. More positively, it’s also the perfect season to grow and cook your own greens. You’ll find articles on this and much more inside.

LYNDAL LUDLOW, Advisory Chair, Diabetes NZ