Prevalence of diabetes and characteristics associated with poor diabetes outcomes among different migrant groups in Australia

Abstract

Background. Diabetes-associated morbidity and mortality are higher among some groups of migrants. However, differences in age structure between migrants and the destination countries' populations can affect the estimated prevalence. There is also a lack of knowledge about the characteristics associated with poor diabetes outcomes among migrants. This study aimed to report the age-standardised prevalence of diabetes and characteristics associated with poor diabetes outcomes among different migrant groups in Australia, based on region of birth. Methods. Using the whole population data from the Australian 2021 census data, diabetes age-specific and sex-specific prevalence, age-standardised prevalence and age-standardised prevalence ratio (ASPR) were calculated for people aged ≥30 years. Characteristics associated with poor diabetes outcomes were analysed. Results. Age-standardised prevalence was higher than the Australian-born population among migrants from South-East Asia (ASPR: 1.4), North Africa and the Middle East (ASPR: 1.7), Southern and Central Asia (ASPR: 2.2) and Oceania (ASPR: 2.2). Among those with diabetes >50% had a weekly income 31% of individuals born in Australia, North-West Europe and Southern and Eastern Europe had ≥3 comorbidities. Over 37% of people born in Southern and Eastern Europe and North Africa and the Middle East needed assistance with core activities, and >8% born in Southern and Eastern Europe, North Africa and the Middle East and South-East Asia had no formal education. People born in Northeast Asia had the highest percentage of people with low English proficiency (55.2%) and who arrived in Australia Conclusion. In prioritising the migrant populations for diabetes prevention, control and healthcare delivery, characteristics associated with poor diabetes outcomes and prevalence of diabetes in different migrant populations in Australia should be considered. Strategies should be designed based on the characteristics of different migrant populations to empower them to manage their diabetes.