Lost Mary Vale: A Case Study in Disappearing Diabetics

Introduction

Mary Vale is a small town in the Australian state of Queensland. In 2001, there were 1,500 people living in Mary Vale. Ten years later, that number had dropped to 1,200. And in 2021, the population was just 900.

What's happening in Mary Vale? Why are people disappearing?

One possible explanation is that people are dying from diabetes, diabetes is a major health problem in Australia, and it's especially prevalent in rural areas. In fact, the rate of diabetes-related deaths in rural Australia is twice as high as it is in urban areas.

The Problem of Diabetes in Rural Australia

There are a number of factors that contribute to the high rate of diabetes in rural Australia. These include:

• Lack of access to healthy food: Rural areas often have limited access to fresh fruits, vegetables, and other healthy foods. This can make it difficult for people to maintain a healthy diet, increasing their risk of developing diabetes.

• Lack of access to healthcare: Rural areas often have fewer doctors and other healthcare providers than urban areas. This can make it difficult for people to get the care they need to manage their diabetes, increasing their risk of developing complications.

• Social and economic disadvantage: Rural areas often have higher rates of poverty and unemployment than urban areas. This can make it difficult for people to afford the cost of diabetes care, increasing their risk of developing complications.

The Case of Mary Vale

Mary Vale is a particularly striking example of the problem of diabetes in rural Australia. The town has a high rate of diabetes-related deaths, and the population has been declining for years.

In 2001, there were 100 people living in Mary Vale with diabetes. Ten years later, that number had increased to 150. And in 2021, there were 200 people living in Mary Vale with diabetes.

The increase in the number of people with diabetes in Mary Vale is likely due to a number of factors, including:

• The aging population: The population of Mary Vale is aging, and older people are more likely to develop diabetes.

• The increase in obesity: The rate of obesity in Mary Vale is increasing, and obesity is a major risk factor for diabetes.

• The lack of access to healthy food and healthcare: Mary Vale has limited access to healthy food and healthcare, which makes it difficult for people to prevent and manage diabetes.

The Impact of Diabetes on Mary Vale

The high rate of diabetes in Mary Vale is having a significant impact on the town. The town's hospital is struggling to cope with the number of diabetes-related admissions, and the town's economy is suffering as people with diabetes are unable to work.

The people of Mary Vale are also suffering from the social and emotional effects of diabetes. Many people with diabetes feel isolated and alone, and they may experience discrimination from their peers.

What Can Be Done?

There are a number of things that can be done to address the problem of diabetes in Mary Vale and other rural communities. These include:

• Increasing access to healthy food: Rural communities need to have access to affordable, healthy food. This can be done through a variety of strategies, such as establishing farmers' markets, community gardens, and food cooperatives.

• Increasing access to healthcare: Rural communities need to have access to affordable, quality healthcare. This can be done through a variety of strategies, such as increasing the number of doctors and other healthcare providers in rural areas and expanding telehealth services.

• Addressing social and economic disadvantage: Rural communities need to address the social and economic disadvantage that contributes to the high rate of diabetes. This can be done through a variety of strategies, such as increasing access to education and job training and providing financial assistance to low-income families.

Conclusion

The problem of diabetes in rural Australia is a serious one. The high rate of diabetes-related deaths in rural areas is a tragedy, and the social and economic impact of diabetes is significant.

There are a number of things that can be done to address the problem of diabetes in rural Australia. By working together, we can create healthier communities for all.

Tables

Table 1: Diabetes-related deaths in rural Australia

Table 2: Risk factors for diabetes

Table 3: Symptoms of diabetes

Table 4: Treatment for diabetes

Keywords

• Diabetes
• Rural health
• Mary Vale
• Health disparities
• Social determinants of health