The frightening reality of chronic diseases

The first is the current generation of children may actually live shorter lives than their parents. The earlier chronic disease begins, the shorter life expectancy will be and we are seeing growing numbers of children with adult-onset diabetes and other chronic conditions.

The second is that the badly understaffed health workforce in all outer metropolitan areas of Australia is reeling from the massive simultaneous demands of a growing, ageing, poor and increasingly unwell population.

What do we do about it? There’s not much government can do other than encourage physical activity and improved diet. And there’s not much doctors and nurses can do to cure chronic disease once you have it. This is one area where community and individual lifestyle choices are critical.

At the same time, we do need resources and time to teach people about informed choices and how to better manage their health.

And time we just don’t have.