Summer 2023 Editorial

Kia ora koutou.

Longer daylight hours and warmer temperatures are upon us, which also means Diabetes Action Month has landed too. I have watched this campaign grow from a day of activities for groups across the country into a full month’s engagement and awareness programme, involving nationwide exposure, fundraising, and opportunities to bring communities together. There are multiple opportunities for us all to be involved, so I hope that each of us will take the opportunity to educate, support, enjoy, and advocate for our diabetes whānau.

As I hunt for ways to pay for CGMs that help both of the type 1s in my whānau live their best, healthy lives, I am grateful, firstly, that I have the opportunity to even consider covering the cost ourselves. More importantly, I am beyond grateful for the many years of advocacy by Diabetes NZ, medical professionals, and other groups that have made funded CGMs a likely reality. Thank you to the many individuals who have shared their personal stories, challenges, and vision to inform the government, opposition parties, medical professionals, and anyone who will listen.

So many studies have made the case for significantly improved health outcomes for people with diabetes who have access to appropriate technology. Not to mention the inevitable savings for the health system! I look forward to sensors being equitable standard diabetes management practice.

This has been a challenging year for many. I’d like to acknowledge the challenges that our diabetes whānau across the country have faced due to weather events. Thank you to those who are helping meet their diabetes needs. As the CGM campaign shows, our diabetes communities can do amazing things together.

This Summer edition of Diabetes Wellness should really be named Diabetes Wellness on Wheels, as we meet Barry, a successful rally driver from the Bay of Islands, Nicole, an artistic roller skater, and Sue who last summer biked the infamous and difficult grade five Old Ghost Road. Our regular contributor, Craig Wise, reminds us of the large choice of bikes to be hired – a perfect past-time while on holiday. We also meet Amy Maslen-Miller – the ‘Samoan Scientist’ who is researching the link between traditional Samoan foods and type 2.

Happy and safe holidays everyone!

LYNDAL LUDLOW
Advisory Chair, Diabetes NZ