Every country has people with diabetes, with estimates ranging from 1 in 14 to 1 in 3 people having diabetes, hence when a disaster, such as a tsunami, bushfire, flood or pandemic (such as COVID-19) strikes people with diabetes will be affected. An estimated 75% of people with diabetes globally live in disadvantaged regions, and on average the disaster related death rate is 12-fold higher in disadvantaged regions than in advantaged countries. Outcomes can be improved by excellent pre-planning of responses to disasters.
To facilitate this many national and international diabetes agencies publish guidelines. Dr Alicia Jenkins has participated in the preparation of the diabetes related response to disasters for Australia and is involved in preparing the second edition of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Western Pacific Region Guidelines.
Via the links below once can access these and other excellent guidelines for diabetes related responses in Australia and in the IDF Western Pacific Region.