Anthrax

Anthrax is a bacterial disease that targets sheep, cattle and other hoofed herbivores (grass eating animals) like goats and horses. Occasionally anthrax infects humans.  Anthrax is a rare hazard for anyone who works with livestock or their by-products including farmers, abattoir workers, tanners and veterinarians.

Farmers and abattoir workers are more at risk than the general population. The cutaneous (skin) ulcer form is the only type recorded in Australia. There have been three cases affecting humans since 2001, all caused by exposure to anthrax spores. There have also been sporadic outbreaks in grazing animals during this time.

Anthrax occurs mainly in the pastoral areas of NSW, Northern Victoria and Gippsland.

Symptoms in Humans

Symptoms of anthrax include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Cough
• Skin Lesions
• Joint pains
• Chest pain
• Vomiting
• Flu-like symptoms (eg. fever, chills, headache, runny nose, sore throat)

Fast facts:

• Anthrax can occur in sheep and cattle and can occasionally be passed to humans.
• Do not butcher or conduct a post mortem on any suspected animal cases as this will cause massive environmental exposure from anthrax spores.
• If you suspect you have been exposed to an anthrax infected animal, seek veterinary and medical advice immediately.

Sheep and shearing

Sheep and shearing can create many hazards for farm workers as sheep can be unpredictable and result in physical injury.

Safe work practices and good training can help to avoid many mishaps. A safe working environment can minimise the chances of both injury and illness. Well-designed yards and shearing sheds can help to prevent and reduce a range of physical, chemical and biological hazards.

When you are working with sheep – from mustering and drafting to shearing and returning sheep to paddocks – develop and communicate your plans to all workers involved. Well-designed and well-maintained yards make it a lot safer, not to mention easier, to handle sheep. Ensure your shearing shed is sufficiently lit and ventilated, agricultural and veterinary chemicals are used and stored appropriately, and machinery is safe and well maintained.

Hazards associated with working with sheep

• Mustering with dogs and motorbikes/quad bikes.
• Charging and crushing.
• Dust.
• Zoonosis.
• Trips and falls.

Hazards associated with shearing, crutching and treating sheep

• Manual handling causing musculoskeletal injuries (i.e. back strain and knee injuries).
• Slips, trips and falls.
• Crushing and foot injuries.
• Noise exposure.
• Chemical exposure and self-vaccination.

Recommendations when working with sheep

• Design yards, sheds and races carefully to ensure smooth stock flow to reduce the risk of crushing and collisions with animals.
• Have a good working knowledge of animal behaviour and a positive attitude towards stock.
• Prepare yards (water down) to minimise dust and wear respiratory protection when needed.
• Always wear a helmet when riding a motorbike/quad bike even if moving slowly.
• Use non-slip surfaces to avoid falls and slips in yards.
• Make sure safety cut-off switches are installed and working on shearing plant and wool presses.
• Have guards fitted on shearing equipment, wool presses and grinders.
• Consider using lift or slide swing gates.
• Minimise the amount of lifting needed, but if you must lift a sheep, use your legs, not your back.
• Ensure correct personal protective equipment (PPE) is used and worn including appropriate footwear.
• Maintain loading ramp and race in good working order.
• If electricity is available, have electric motors fitted to the wool press to reduce air and noise pollution.
• Avoid back injuries by maintaining good posture and using your legs instead of your back.
• Ensure workers are sufficiently trained in the task being undertaken.
• Fit emergency control/buttons, ensure all are in working order and are prominently signposted.
• When shearing, keep animals close to your body and when you need to lift them, use your thigh muscles.
• Consider using sedatives when shearing prime lambs or crossbred sires – consult your vet.
• Know what to do if a needlestick injury occurs.

Find out more about this topic on Better Health Channel.

Fast facts:

• Handling sheep can cause strains, sprains and other injuries.
• Stay fit to maintain muscle strength and reduce your risk of injury.
• When you work with rams in a race, always watch the other rams behind you.
• Make sure all sheep handling areas are safe and train all workers in safe handling practices.

Children and animals

Children get great enjoyment from farm life and naturally gravitate towards animals. However, animals can cause serious injuries and children need to be taught the dangers of being around livestock and other animals. This is not only important for children who live on farms, but also children who visit the farms of friends or family.

Animals on farms are one of the key consistent hazards causing injuries to children. Horses are a leading cause of injury on farms; at particular risk are young girls. It is important children ride and handle horses that are appropriate for their age and size, and they must always wear a helmet and suitable footwear.

If children care for or are around livestock or large animals, make sure they know to always be watchful, respectful and understand basic animal behaviour.

Children should also be taught how to behave around working dogs and understand that they can behave differently to pet dogs. It is also important to be alert and aware of snakes in the warmer months.

Find out more about this topic on Better Health Channel.

See the NCFH fact sheet to read more about child safety on farms.

Fast facts:

• Teach children to be alert and watchful around livestock, especially if they are caring for animals.
• Always wear a helmet and suitable footwear when riding horses.
• Be aware of and always supervise working dogs around children.

Animal handling

Handling animals such as cattle, sheep, horses, poultry and dogs is part of everyday life on many farms and will always involve some level of risk. Health and safety on farms involves managing that risk for workers, family and visitors.

All animals behave differently and can be unpredictable, especially during mating season. Cattle, pigs, horses and sheep should be treated with caution at all times. Keep the animals as calm as possible, and a fence or barrier between you and the animals and never turn your back. 

Falling off horses can cause serious injuries, so riders should always wear a helmet. Ensure that all workers are appropriately trained in animal handling and that visitors are aware of the animal handling safety practices on your farm. Children should always be supervised around farm animals. 

Effective maintenance and design of yards and fences is important to reduce risk of injury when handling livestock. This can include the use of appropriate animal-handling equipment and aids such as cradles and crushes which reduce injury risk from lifting or pushing animals.  

Animals can carry diseases that can be transmitted to humans (this includes dogs and cats) so vaccinate for diseases such as Q Fever where appropriate and always wear suitable protective clothing to reduce your risk when handling potentially infected material such as faeces or afterbirth. Plan for tasks involving animals and get help if you need it. 

Find out more about this topic on Better Health Channel.

Fast facts:

• Handling animals like cattle, sheep, horses, poultry and dogs will always involve some level of risk. Animals are unpredictable and should be treated with caution at all times. Keeping animals calm and reducing stress will help reduce risk of unpredictable behaviour.  
• Wherever possible, create a barrier between yourself and the animals. 
• Always wear a helmet when riding a horse to avoid a serious injury if a fall occurs. 
• Ensure all farm workers and visitors are aware of the animal handling safety practices. 

Anger

Anger is an emotion that we all experience. However, this powerful emotion can be destructive and lead to violence if it isn’t managed.

Farming, like many occupations, can be stressful. When things go wrong you may feel rage and anger. We often take out our anger on those closest to us, our partners and families. Learning to recognise and understand your triggers can help you to manage your anger.

Look at the situations that make you angry – what can you do to avoid those things happening? Often they are due to a high level of demand on you and a loss of control over the situation. This may include machinery breakdown, broken water pipes, and people not doing what you think they should be doing.

Machinery will break down, commodity prices may drop, storms can damage farm buildings, gates may be left open – but how you react can have a profound impact on your own and your family’s health. There are many things in life that are beyond our control and recognising this is important to wellbeing. However, how we react to anger is something we can control.

Learn simple ABC strategies:
A.    Be AWARE of how you are feeling: Some signs of anger include tightening muscles, pressure building in the head, feeling hot or flushed in the face, raised heart rate, rapid breathing or increased sweating.
B.    BREATHE and allow yourself some time: Step away from a situation that makes you feel angry, spend a couple of minutes focusing on deep breathing and return after a break with a cool head and a fresh perspective.
C.    Take CONTROL of your emotions and respond safely and non-aggressively: Use helpful self-talk such “I am not going to let this situation get to me” or “Just stop and take a few breaths”. Try ‘releasing’ your anger through visualising an image in your mind e.g. releasing a bird.

Find out more about how anger can affect you or others on the Better Health Channel.

Anger is a powerful emotion. Uncontrolled anger may cause increased anxiety, high blood pressure and headaches, and trigger fights or abuse. Anger can also be ‘contagious’, particularly in family relationships.

If you can manage your feelings of anger, you can help break the cycle of extreme emotion. Anger management strategies include regular exercise and learning how to relax. People may even be less prone to anger when they are physically fit, with recent research suggesting that cardiorespiratory fitness may help to reduce stress reactivity (e.g. becoming angry) in high stress situations. Understanding and managing your anger takes effort and practice – but the rewards are worth it.

ifarmwell has produced a great worksheet that you might find helpful: Anger worksheet.

Fast facts:

• Anger is a powerful emotion, which can affect your health and may lead to violence and abuse.
• When you feel angry take some deep breaths and walk away from the situation until you are calmer.
• Do something physical to release the tension (for example, go for a walk or dig in the garden).
• Find ways to fix the things that make you angry where possible and learn to accept things that you can’t change.

Wood fires and breathing problems

Smoke from slow-combustion stoves, wood fires, burn offs and bushfires can cause breathing problems.  Wood fire smoke can pollute the air with carbon monoxide – an invisible, odourless and tasteless gas that, once ingested, can cause confusion, headaches, fatigue, damage to the heart and brain, and death. Particles in wood fire smoke can irritate the eyes, throat, nose and respiratory system.

Wood smoke may also contain carcinogenic pollutants like benzene, butadiene, formaldehyde and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Exposure to these gases can severely hinder healthy development and damage the respiratory, nervous, reproductive and immune systems.

The effects of wood smoke exposure are typically short-term, with most healthy adults recovering quickly. However, pregnant women, children, elderly persons and individuals with a diagnosis or history of heart disease, lung conditions, diabetes and high blood pressure, are particularly susceptible to smoke-induced breathing problems.

Exposure to wood smoke can occur:

Inside the home: wood heater, slow combustion stoves and outdoor smoke entering the house.

Outdoors: outdoor fires, burn-offs, crop stubble burns and bushfires.

Things to consider if you use a wood heater or wood stove:

• Operate it correctly and clean the flue or chimney regularly to minimise the amount of smoke produced.
• Only use good quality wood – make sure the wood is dry and has no paint on it or other chemical treatments such as treated pine. Try to use smaller logs rather than one large log.
• Leave a window partially open to let in the fresh air and reduce the build-up of indoor pollution.
• Maintain a bright flame and never let your heater smoulder to ensure enough heat for complete combustion.
• Clean your chimney annually.
• Be aware of signs like drowsiness, an indication that carbon monoxide levels are high.

To find out more about woodfire smoke and breathing problems visit Better Health Channel

Fast facts:

• Wood fire smoke contains particles that can harm your health.
• Wood smoke exposure can occur inside and outside the home.
• Operate and maintain wood heaters and wood-burning ovens properly to minimise the amount of smoke generated.
• Wear properly fitting P2 dust masks if burning crop stubble. These are available in our Safety shop

Farmer’s lung or Hypersensitivity pneumonitis

Farmer’s lung is a serious respiratory condition also known as hypersensitivity pneumonitis. It affects people whose immune system is sensitive to fungal spores inhaled from:

• Mouldy hay
• Straw
• Grain
• Compost

Farmer’s lung is different from farmer’s fever also known as (ODTS – Organic Dust Toxic Syndrome) because it involves an allergic immune response that leads to inflammation and permanent tissue damage in the terminal airways of the lung. Farmers lung is associated with intense or repeated exposures to biologic dust and different organisms can cause farmers lung. It was described as early as 1713 notably in farmers exposed to organic dusts. Spread between people is non-existent, however, common exposure to the offending agent can lead to similar and numerous cases. Some agricultural industries with possible known exposures associated with hypersensitivity pneumonitis include:

• Greenhouse farming
• Mushroom, farming
• Bird or poultry handling (‘bird breeder/fancier’s lung’)
• Grain processing (wheat weevil disease)
• Hay packing, storing and handling particularly when humid
• Woodworkers lung

Symptoms
The symptoms of farmer’s lung in acute attacks can last from 12 hours to 10 days. Symptoms include:

• Chills
• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Tight feeling in the chest
• Tiredness

For those farmers who are sensitive, repeated exposure to the allergic trigger can lead to more severe symptoms such as chronic cough with phlegm containing pus, shortness of breath, loss of appetite and weight loss. Lung scarring (fibrosis) can occur in the later stages of the disease which greatly impacts respiratory health and cause difficulty breathing.

Farmer’s lung can be prevented by ensuring organic materials are kept dry and stored properly. Also keeping away from known allergens. Keep storage areas well-ventilated and wear appropriate Australian Standard respiratory masks which seal the face properly and protect the lungs. If working in greenhouse environs ensuring adequate ventilation and appropriate breaks out of the environment. These actions will minimise the risk of inhaling the allergic trigger and prevent the condition developing or progressing.

Fast facts:

• Farmer’s lung is often caused by inhaling fungal spores or bacteria from mouldy hay, grains, compost.
• Farmer’s lung can be slowed if it is identified early. So tell your doctor about any symptoms like breathing problems, chills and fevers.
• Keep hay, grains and other organic materials dry as fungal spores can only grow in moist conditions.
• Wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) if having to work at high risk sites.
• As farmers lungs symptoms are like a viral illness if can be misdiagnosed.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and respiratory illness is a major cause of death in Australia and is present in farming communities. COPD is an abbreviated term for lung conditions which include emphysema, chronic bronchitis and chronic asthma all of which are irreversible.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is often a debilitating disease that is both preventable and treatable. Previously identified as a disease of mostly smokers, COPD is now considered to be a risk of some occupational exposures.

COPD is a long-term condition of the lungs that causes shortness of breath. Even though COPD is irreversible and there is no cure, there are things you can do to breathe easier and improve your quality of life particularly if it is diagnosed and managed early. Importantly there are things you can do to prevent COPD, in the first place.

Most cases of COPD develop after repeatedly breathing in fumes (usually tobacco smoke) and dust that damage the lungs over a long period of time. It is also known that exposure to bushfire smoke and coal smoke increases the risk of worsening existing asthma or COPD. Farmers have high rates of COPD when compared to non-farming workers despite generally lower rates of smoking. This suggests that on-farm exposure to lung irritants such as animal dander, organic and inorganic dusts, smoke, fumes and chemical vapours may play a key role. The good news is there has been a steady decline in tobacco smoking since the 1970s, and we are now seeing a steady decline in COPD-related deaths.  An important factor in COPD among farmers is likely to be the respiratory exposures encountered during working and living on the farm. Exposures from livestock handling, poultry, organic and inorganic dusts, bacteria, endotoxin, spores and potentially toxic gases, such as those found in silos, vats, tanks, bushfire smoke and welding fumes.

COPD and COVID-19

Having a clinical diagnosis of COPD increases the risk of having poor clinical outcomes if you become infected with COVID-19.  People with COPD are a high-risk group, and should take all preventative measures to avoid COVID-19 and if infected seek further medical advice.

Preventing exposure is very important.

To find out more about COPD visit Better Health Channel

Fast facts:

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) describes a range of lung conditions like bronchitis and emphysema.
• COPD is related to smoking. Farmers have a higher rate of COPD than the general population even though rates of smoking are lower among farmers.
• Wear an appropriate mask when dealing with dust, agricultural chemicals or smoke from fires.
• Avoid getting infections and have an annual flu vaccination and be up to date with your COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters.

Asthma

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory lung condition which causes the air ways (bronchi) of the lungs to become inflamed and narrow. The inflammation results in increased mucous production and bronchoconstriction, making it harder to breathe.

Asthma can be a life threatening condition if not treated and managed properly. It affects one in nine Australians. 

Another asthma term that affects the farming community is  thunderstorm asthma. People at risk for thunderstorm asthma are those that have spring-time allergic rhinitis (hayfever)/confirmed ryegrass pollen and allergy. It isn’t a specific type or diagnosis of asthma, but it is a trigger for some people and can be very serious. It can happen suddenly to people susceptible to asthma and or hay fever and if grass pollen is a problem for you then you may be at risk for a thunderstorm asthma event. 

Hazards and risks for farming men, women, children and agricultural workers are high as they are exposed to irritants such as organic and inorganic dusts from pollens, animal dander, grain and hay, which can trigger asthma attacks in susceptible people. Being overweight has also been identified as a risk of developing asthma as fat tissue produces inflammatory substances that might affect the lungs.

Exposure to organic and inorganic dusts is likely to occur when working with or around:

• Stock, grain, soil, hay and silage which is being moved or transported
• Grain which is being harvested and stored
• Smoke released from burn offs or bushfires
• Pollens released from pastures, crops and trees.

The most common signs of asthma are:

• Coughing – especially at night, during exercise or when laughing
• Difficulty breathing
• Chest tightness
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing (a whistling or squeaky sound in your chest when breathing, especially when exhaling)

There are many allergens in the agricultural workplace that may irritate and cause asthma to develop in a previously healthy person or trigger asthma symptoms in someone that already has asthma.

Recommendations and strategies to reduce your risk of developing asthma and/or having an asthma attack include:

• Limiting exposure to dust, smoke and pollens by wearing a fitted face mask
• Stop smoking
• Avoid allergens that may trigger asthma attacks
• Encourage a diet high in fruit, vegetables, wholegrains and lean protein
• Work with your employer/employees to reduce exposures to irritants/triggers on the farm
• Talk to your GP or Respiratory Nurse Practitioner about having a Spirometry (breathing test) and a written  asthma management plan (also referred to as an asthma action plan).

Asthma attacks can develop over a few minutes or a few days. In an emergency situation, farming men, women, children and agricultural workers need to act quickly as they may have longer travel distances to seek medical treatment – placing them at greater health risk. For this reason it is important to have an asthma management plan in place for those individuals on the farm or workplace who are known to suffer from asthma. This plan should at least contain:

• Individual’s identified triggers
• Strategies to minimise asthma risks
• Individual’s emergency response plan including medication management (with inhalers or puffers).

In all cases, asthma becomes a medical emergency if the person finds it increasingly difficult to breathe and talk, has severe chest tightness, feels distressed and they are sucking in their throat and their ribs are retracting (pulling in).

Call triple zero (000) for an ambulance in an emergency.

To learn more about asthma emergency first aid visit Better Health Channel.

To find out more thunderstorm asthma visit Better Health Channel.

Fast facts

• Asthma is a respiratory disease that affects the small air ways of the lung. Asthma can be controlled with appropriate preventative medication (inhalers or puffers).
• Attacks can be triggered by dust, grains, smoke and pollens.
• Attacks can be prevented and managed if strategies to reduce exposures to irritants and triggers are in place. 
• People with asthma who live or work on a farm should have a personal asthma management/action plan. 

Aspergillosis

Aspergillosis is an infection, a growth or an allergic reaction caused by the Aspergillus mould (fungus). This commonly grows on rotting vegetation.

The tiny Aspergillosis spores can be inhaled resulting in illnesses that usually affect the respiratory system. Some people with asthma are allergic to Aspergillus and develop allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA). 

Symptoms of ABPA are: 

• Wheezing
• Breathlessness
• Significant worsening of asthma symptoms
• Chest pain.

Ongoing irritation of the airways can cause complications including: 

• Blood-stained sputum
• Fever 
• Permanent damage to bronchiolar walls which affects your ability to breathe 
• Increased risk of lung infections.  

If the infection spreads it can affect eyes, sinuses and other organs. 

Hazards and risks of Aspergillosis in farmers occurs when working with composting or decaying vegetation such as silage, rain damaged hay or mouldy grain. 

Silage, mouldy hay and grain can contain the Aspergillus mould spores which are tiny at 2-3 microns and can go deep into your lungs when inhaled, causing respiratory illness.

Hay baled at high moisture content levels increases the likelihood of hay becoming mouldy. Hay which is darker in colour or has a musty smell is indicative of mould being present.

Horses, dogs, cows and birds are also susceptible to Aspergillosis if exposed to mould spores as a result of being fed mouldy hay or grain, especially in poorly ventilated, confined areas. Mouldy hay can contain toxins that are harmful to stock especially pregnant milking cows which can lead to abortion.

Recommendations for the prevention of Asperigillosis include wearing a mask that complies with Australian Standards when handling mouldy hay or composting vegetation. Fitting the mask correctly is essential, because the presence of facial hair such as beards or even being unshaven can reduce the effectiveness of the mask. Facial hair can be 15 microns and Aspergillus spores are only 2-3 micron, therefore having an effective fitting mask is vital.

Find out more on Better Health Channel.

Fast facts:

• Is an infection, growth or allergic reaction caused by the Aspergillus fungus that can cause respiratory illness
• Always wear a well fitted P2 dust mask to prevent spores from being inhaled when working with silage, mouldy hay or grain.
• Asperigillosis can also affect animals such as horses, cows, birds and dogs
• Avoid feeding animals mouldy hay or grain

Farmer’s fever – Organic Toxic Dust Syndrome (ODTS)

Farmer’s fever, also called organic dust toxic syndrome (ODTS), is caused by breathing in dust that contains moulds from spoiled plant materials such as baled hay, stored grain or silage. It is a common respiratory illness in farmers, particularly those working with grain, hay, silage and confined animals. The symptoms are a fever and flu-like symptoms which occur 4 to 12 hours after exposure to contaminated dust.

The symptoms of farmer’s fever will usually disappear within one to three days after you are no longer exposed to the dust. However subsequent exposures may increase the risk of a range of respiratory symptoms. (Farmer’s Lung, 2016). ODTS is often misdiagnosed, so it is important to tell your doctor about any recent dust exposures you may have had.

You can reduce your risk of developing ODTS by minimising hay spoilage, wetting down dusty areas and wearing a mask or respirator.

Fast facts:

• Organic dust toxic syndrome or farmer’s fever is caused by inhaling mouldy dust.
• Farmer’s fever is a common respiratory illness in farmers.
• Tell your doctor if you’ve been exposed to dust and you have flu-like symptoms.

Diabetes

Diabetes is one of the most common chronic conditions in Australia. It is estimated that around 1.7 million Australians have diabetes and includes all types of diagnosed diabetes (1.2 million known and registered) as well as silent, undiagnosed Type 2 diabetes where it is estimated there are another additional 500,000.

Diabetes is associated with earlier death and other chronic illnesses such as cardiovascular disease (heart disease, kidney disease and eye disease such as visual loss and blindness..

There are two main types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes develops when your pancreas is no longer producing insulin so you are unable to process sugar/glucose in your body. Type 1 diabetics must be supplemented with insulin through injections or a pump. Type 2 diabetes develops when your body is no longer able to efficiently produce and release insulin from the pancreas to maintain healthy blood glucose levels.

Surprisingly farming men, women and agricultural workers who live rurally are at increased risk of developing diabetes, due to rural and remote communities experiencing higher rates of diabetes compared to major cities. Hospitalisation and death rates in remote and very remote areas due to diabetes are two times as high as in major cities. A possible contributing factor to this increased risk is the use of modernised farm equipment, vehicles and farm technology. These sedentary changes result in reduced physical activity from sitting in machinery and excess energy from food not being utilised. When excess energy is not used by the body, it is converted to body fat which can potentially sit around the waist as abdominal fat or toxic waste. Large waist measurements or excess abdominal fat is one of the greatest risk factors in the development of Type 2 diabetes. Other factors which increase the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes include: family history of diabetes, being overweight or obese, inactivity and an unhealthy diet.

To see if you might be at risk of diabetes, take the Diabetes Ausdrisk test. It only takes a few minutes and is free. The good news is that in most cases Type 2 diabetes can be prevented through diet and exercise. A few lifestyle choices or changes can help protect you against developing Type 2 diabetes.

1. Maintain a healthy weight – this can be done through exercise and healthy eating (outlined below)
2. Exercise regularly – try to build some activity into your daily routine. For example, walk instead of taking the ute or quad bike.
3. Make healthy food choices – concentrate on getting the recommended servings of fruit, vegetables, lean meats and grains each day. See the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating for more information. Also, visit our Fact Sheet on Healthy Lunchbox ideas.
4. Manage your blood pressure – talk to your GP about how they can help you with this.
5. Manage cholesterol – while cholesterol can be influenced by your genetics, diet is really important in keeping cholesterol levels within a healthy range. For more information, see the Heart Foundation for healthy eating and cholesterol. Also, talk to your GP about how they can help you with this.

Often farmers are very busy and put off taking care of their health.  Living in rural and remote communities may involve long distance travel to access health services such as a doctor, diabetes educator or dietitian. There are online and phone services that are confidential and will help support you to manage your health and reduce your risk of diabetes. Read more about preventing diabetes at Diabetes Australia.

Fast facts:

• Diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases in Australia and is a very serious condition, but it can often be prevented.
• Make the time to exercise and eat plenty of fruit and vegetables.
• Being overweight is a risk factor for diabetes; manage your weight to manage your health. Make sure you build some activity into your daily routine.
• Living a long way out of town can make access to fresh food difficult. Start a veggie garden and grow some of your own healthy food.