IntroductionThe incidence and prevalence of all forms of diabetes mellitus is increasing in Australia, including in particularly vulnerable age groups of children and the elderly.  There are also many Australian adults with undiagnosed diabetes and pre-diabetes. In addition, due to better treatments a high proportion of Australians with diabetes have diabetes complications, multiple co-morbidities and complex treatment regimens. 

Disasters, predominantly natural disasters such as floods, fire and cyclones, which can occur with relatively little warning, are occurring in Australia with increasing frequency and in urban, rural and remote regions. Local and / or overseas experiences have demonstrated greater risk of unstable diabetes glucose control during and after a disaster and increased risk of diabetes complications, including vascular events, infection, poor wound healing and adverse mental health outcomes. Some of these events are precipitated by unintended breaks in chronic disease management. 

Approach 
Whilst sick-day care is routinely covered in diabetes education and care, disaster preparedness is not. In the same way as individual diabetes patient care is optimised by a collaborative multi-disciplinary team, we suggest the approach to diabetes related disaster preparedness involves the patient, their family and friends, healthcare professionals, emergency services, local, State and Federal Government bodies. Considerations of individual and organisational factors prior to, during and after a disaster are key to structuring a robust national diabetes care disaster response program. A National Disaster Management Project for diabetes is in progress, involving multi-disciplinary stakeholders.

OutcomesThe seminar will update attendees about diabetes and disasters, progress of the Diabetes Disaster Management Project, and provide opportunity for audience input.

Implications A robust national plan with implications for individuals with diabetes, their healthcare team and for key local and national stakeholders will, if enacted, provide greater safety and improved outcomes for Australians with diabetes during future disasters.