Deanne Minniecon, Group Executive, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement, has been appointed as an聽Adjunct Associate Professor in the School of Public Health at the University of Queensland (UQ).

This appointment is a wonderful recognition of Deanne’s more than 30-year career in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and the significant contributions she has made across community, policy, leadership, research, teaching, and learning. It also acknowledges the valuable work Deanne has already undertaken with UQ and provides an opportunity for her to continue contributing to research, mentoring, teaching, and workforce development. 

For 芒果直播, this appointment creates opportunities to strengthen partnerships across the university sector and contribute to shaping future research, education, and workforce development. It helps ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives, knowledge, and lived experiences continue to inform health research, education, and practice, while supporting the development of the next generation of health professionals and researchers.

This is a particularly meaningful appointment for Deanne, as it is her second Adjunct Associate Professor role alongside her existing position at Queensland University of Technology (QUT). It will enable her to further connect her work across community, policy and practice with the academic sector, helping to translate knowledge into improved outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Congratulations to Deanne on your well-deserved appointment.

Walking down the savoury biscuits aisle is enough to drive anyone crackers. With so many options to choose from, how can you tell which ones strike the right balance between taste and nutrition? Let’s explore a few simple tips to make choosing a healthier cracker easier.

A healthy cracker is often simpler than you might expect 

Plain crackers, without added flavours, are a good starting point, as they tend to be lower in added salt, sugar, and fats.  

Wholegrain or wholemeal crackers are also a better choice. They offer more fibre and nutrients than those made mainly from refined white flour. 

If you are following a , wholegrain rice or corn thins are a suitable alternative to wheat-based crackers. While they tend to have a high GI (glycaemic index) value, adding protein, healthy fat, and fibre toppings can help slow digestion and promote a gentler rise in blood glucose levels. 

Some crackers include nuts and seeds, which can add texture, healthy fats, and a small boost of protein, particularly when they鈥檙e part of a wholegrain base rather than just sprinkled onto an otherwise refined cracker. 

Crackers to enjoy less often 

Some crackers are better kept as an occasional treat. Flavoured crackers, such as barbecue, cheese, or sour cream varieties, often rely on extra salt, flavourings, and unhealthy fats to boost taste.  

How can you tell which crackers are a good choice?  

Turn the packet over and check the ingredient list. Ingredients are listed from highest to lowest by weight. This is the first step to assess the overall quality of the crackers. Choose crackers with whole grains listed first, and limit those high in saturated fat, sodium (salt), or added sugar. 

The second step is to check the nutrition information panel. Use the per 100g column to compare products, and choose crackers with:  

• Less than 3g saturated fat per 100g 

• Less than 400mg sodium per 100g 

How many crackers should I have? 

Crackers are carbohydrate foods, so portion size matters. A general rule of thumb is to stick to one to two servings (15-30g carbohydrate) per eating occasion, depending on appetite, activity level, and what you鈥檙e pairing them with. You will find the serving size and servings per package on the back of the pack. 

Tips for serving crackers 

Eating large amounts of crackers on their own can lead to quicker rises in glucose levels. Pairing them with protein, healthy fats, or fibre-rich toppings helps slow digestion and keep glucose levels stead. 

Some good pairing examples include: 

• Sliced cheese or cottage cheese topped with some colour such as sliced tomato 

• Eggs, tinned tuna, or salmon 

• Nutritious dips like hummus or tzatziki 

• Healthy fats like 100% nut butter or avocado 

Crackers can have a place in a healthy diet. Considering the type of cracker, portion size, and pairing will go a long way to keep snacks nutritious and satisfying. 

Cracker comparisons
 

A closer look at how some of the more popular varieties stack up.

  Ryvita multigrain crispbread

1 serve (2 crispbreads)
Carbs	Sodium	Fibre
11.7g	50mg	3.6g

Vita-Weat 9 grain multigrain crispbread

1 serve (4 crispbreads)
Carbs	Sodium	Fibre
14.9g	101mg	3.2g

Vita Grain 9 grains and seeds crackers 

1 serve (4 crackers)
Carbs	Sodium	Fibre
17.1g	110mg	1.9g

Cruskits crispbread rye

1 serve (2 crispbreads)
Carbs	Sodium	Fibre
6.7g	67mg	2.1g

 Sunrice rice cakes 

1 serve (4 rice cakes)
Carbs	Sodium	Fibre
19.6g	0.3mg	1.1g

Real Foods corn thins multigrain

1 serve (2 corn thins)
Carbs	Sodium	Fibre
13g	47mg	1.2g

Fantastic rice crackers BBQ

1 serve (25g)
Carbs	Sodium	Fibre
21g	91mg	0.1g

Sao crackers 

1 serve (25g)
Carbs	Sodium	Fibre
17.3g	185mg	1.0g

By Accredited Practising Dietitian, Catherine Chang

Winter can mean cosy nights, comfort food, and the perfect excuse to stay under a blanket a little longer. But as the days start to stretch out and the weather warms up, spring brings a natural sense of fresh energy and new beginnings.

If you’ve found some healthy habits have drifted over the cooler months, you’re certainly not alone. The good news? You don’t need a complete lifestyle overhaul. A few small tweaks can help you feel more in control and make diabetes management feel a little easier.

Let spring do some of the heavy lifting

There’s a reason many of us feel more motivated at this time of year. Longer daylight hours and warmer temperatures can naturally boost your mood, help regulate your body clock, and motivate you to reconnect with routines that may have slipped during winter.

Rather than aiming for perfection, think of spring as an opportunity to check in with yourself. What’s working well? What could use a refresh? Even one or two small changes can make a meaningful difference over time.

Fresh season, fresh food

Spring delivers an abundance of colourful produce that can add variety and flavour to meals. Think crisp greens, asparagus, berries, and other seasonal favourites that are lower in carbohydrate and packed with nutrients and fibre.

Instead of focusing on what you shouldn’t eat, consider what extra salad leaves or spring veggies you can add to your plate. Spring is聽also a great time聽to try new recipes or lighter cooking methods using the latest, fresh produce.聽Get some inspiration from our recipe pages, or try these ideas:

Salmon and Spring Greens Salad Recipe | 芒果直播
Beef and Spring Vegetable Stir-Fry Recipe | 芒果直播
Spring Vegetable and Chicken Meatball Soup Recipe | 芒果直播

If you鈥檝e聽fallen into less healthy habits, such as聽mindless snacking or skipping meals,聽use the start of spring as an opportunity聽to reflect and reset.聽You can use聽a聽simple聽food聽diary聽or a diabetes-friendly app聽to聽help you stay accountable聽for your food intake. By聽tracking聽and recording聽any聽patterns, you can see聽what聽affects聽your blood聽glucose levels.聽You may not need to make drastic changes, but if聽you鈥檙e聽not sure,聽book a聽review聽with an or make an appointment at聽芒果直播鈥檚聽telehealth聽clinic.听听

Find ways to move that you actually enjoy

If your activity levels dropped during the colder months, the seasonal shift聽is the perfect time to get moving again. Physical activity is one of the most powerful tools for diabetes management because it helps your muscles use glucose for energy, improves insulin sensitivity, and can lower your blood glucose levels. The effects may last for hours, depending on the type and intensity of your activity.听听

Adding more physical activity to your day doesn鈥檛 mean spending hours in a gym. The milder weather聽makes聽it easier to聽get outdoors聽to聽exercise. Walking,聽gardening,聽or gentle stretching in the sun becomes more enjoyable.聽Plus, you will get your daily dose of vitamin D (sun-protected, of course). A morning walk, gardening, cycling, or swimming laps at your local pool are all good options.

Why not invite your friends to join you? Socialising will also help support your mental wellbeing.  

The best form of exercise is often the one you’ll keep doing. Start small, build gradually, and focus on movement that fits naturally into your lifestyle. But be聽mindful of聽how exercise affects your blood glucose levels, especially if you take insulin.聽

If you鈥檙e older, have been inactive, or have other health conditions, please consult with your GP or health care team before embarking on a new exercise regimen. They can help you choose activities that are safe and appropriate for your fitness level.   

Give your diabetes gear a quick once-over

Just as many of us tackle a kitchen clean-out in spring, it’s worth taking a few minutes to review your diabetes supplies.

Check medication and test strip expiry dates, make sure devices are working properly, and update any apps you regularly use. While聽you鈥檙e聽reviewing your聽equipment, review your glucose trends. If you’re using a continuous glucose monitor, this can also be a good opportunity to review your data and see if any patterns have emerged. Think of it as housekeeping for your health.

Check in with your wellbeing

Looking after diabetes isn’t just about blood glucose levels. It’s also about how you’re feeling.

Living with diabetes requires constant decision-making, and it’s normal to feel tired, frustrated, or overwhelmed at times. As you head into a new season, take a moment to reflect on your overall wellbeing and . Are you getting enough sleep? Feeling connected to family and friends? Making time for activities you enjoy? Sometimes the healthiest change isn’t adding another task to your day. It’s being a little kinder to yourself.

A season for small changes

Spring doesn’t have to mean a dramatic transformation. Sometimes the most effective changes are the simplest ones: taking a walk after dinner, trying a new recipe, booking a health check, or spending more time outdoors.

So rather than adding more to your to-do list, think about one small thing you could do to feel a little happier or more energised this season.

Xoma Labs has been named the Grand Innovation Challenge winner, following a nationwide search for innovative technologies to transform the lives of people living with diabetes.  

Ten of the nation’s leading diabetes med-tech innovators were selected as finalists in the 2026 芒果直播 Grand Innovation Challenge, pitching their ideas to a live audience during the Community Day event at the International Diabetes Federation Western Pacific Region Congress.  

First prize聽valued at $200,000聽went to聽Xoma聽Labs, for their聽wearable聽glucose聽monitor聽entry, which聽aims聽to聽provide non-invasive聽real-time聽monitoring聽through聽a聽ring-based device.聽

芒果直播鈥檚 Group CEO Justine Cain congratulated the winners, saying that judges had a tough time picking a leading entry from a strong field of applicants.  

“Australian researchers and innovators have fantastic ideas, and the judges were incredibly impressed with the depth and breadth of innovation,” Ms Cain said.  

“We’ve deliberately sought bold ideas that are grounded in the lived experience of people living with diabetes, and can demonstrate tangible solutions to improve the lives of the people that need them the most.  

鈥溍⒐辈� is proud to invest $500,000 in the Grand Innovation Challenge as we seek to fast track the most promising diabetes innovations in the country. 

“Congratulations to Xoma Labs, and to all the successful applicants. We’ve very excited to see your work come to life and have a real impacts on people living with diabetes. 

Xoma Labs Chief Medical Officer Dr Erin Saricilar said the funding would help fund an apex trial that would bring the device closer to realisation.   

鈥淭he trial is currently earmarked to commence in January 2027, and if it goes to plan should be completed within a few months of starting,鈥� Mr Saricilar said.  

鈥淢y wife and I started with a small idea, realising that we could make it much better, and through countless difficult nights, we鈥檝e created something that we’re remarkably proud of. 

鈥淚t’s just amazing to be recognised by 芒果直播 for the hard work that we’ve already done, we’re looking forward to being able to make a real impact for people that really need it.鈥� 

Six winners have shared $500,000 in funding from the Grand Innovation Challenge.   

The full list of successful pitches includes 鈥� 

• Grand Innovation Challenge Winner ($200,000): Xoma Labs 

• Excellence in Innovation ($100,000): ImmunoBiota Therapeutics Pty Ltd 

• Technology Impact Prize ($50,000): CAD Spectral Technologies 

• Innovation Merit Prize ($50,000): Endo Axiom Pty Ltd 

• Emerging Technology Prize ($50,000): Lumina Medtech 

• Advancement Prize ($50,000): CuraTech Pty Ltd 

The 芒果直播 Grand Innovation Challenge is proudly supported by the Coghlan Family through a generous bequest of Charles Campbell Coghlan OAM. 

The Western-Pacific鈥檚 largest diabetes and metabolic health congress has opened with a Community Day in Melbourne, delivering the 500,000^th Shane Warne Legacy health check to highlight the importance of cardiometabolic health screenings, and the urgent nature of the type 2 diabetes epidemic facing the region. 

Brendan Lynch, whose life was saved on the day the Shane Warne Legacy launched in 2023, will take the 500,000th health check alongside Shane Watson at the Community Day. Without the Shane Warne Legacy, Brendan simply would not be here today to mark this extraordinary milestone and take on this special honour at congress.聽

The milestone marks the start of four days of leading research, clinical best practice, and lived experience from delegates representing the wider Pacific through to South Korea, Japan, and India.  

Shane Warne was a fixture of Australian sport, both as a larger-than-life cricketer, but also as an iconic personality with a passion for community and helping people.    

Since launching in 2023 with founding partner Latrobe Health Services and health partner 芒果直播, the SWL Health Check program has prompted 1 in 5 participants to seek medical advice and 85% of participants to take action to improve their health following the free health check.   

The milestone comes as leading clinicians, researchers, educators, and community advocates gather for the biennial International Diabetes Federation 鈥� Western Pacific Region (IDF-WPR) Congress, being hosted in conjunction with the Australasian Diabetes Congress, and Metabolic Diseases 2026.  

An estimated 215 million people across the Western-Pacific region live with all types of diabetes, making it the most urgent and fastest-growing public health challenge in the region.  

Diabetes Australia Group CEO Justine Cain welcomed the Shane Warne Legacy Health Check milestone, saying the program demonstrated the important role screening and prevention could have in public health outcomes. 

鈥淚n聽Australia alone,聽there is a聽diabetes diagnosis every five聽minutes,聽with聽an estimated聽500,000 Australians聽silently聽living with聽undiagnosed聽type 2聽diabetes,鈥澛燤s Cain said.听听

鈥淭his Congress is an opportunity to showcase leading Australian research in diabetes management and prevention, the latest in clinical care, and to hear directly from people living with diabetes about their lives, how they live well with diabetes, as well as the latest innovations.鈥�  

Ms Cain said it was an honour to host the 500,000^th Shane Warne Legacy Health Check at the Community Day, saying the initiative had highlighted the importance of health screening in the community.  

鈥淩eaching half a million Shane Warne Legacy health checks is a remarkable achievement and a powerful reflection of Shane Warne鈥檚 enduring legacy,鈥� Ms Cain said.  

鈥淭o reach this milestone at an event focused on diabetes is especially meaningful, demonstrating the impact that awareness and early detection can have in improving health outcomes in communities across Australia and beyond.鈥� 

Former Australian Test and One Day International star Shane Watson and AFL icon and type 1 diabetes advocate Paddy McCartin joined 芒果直播鈥檚 Group CEO Justine Cain to open the Congress during a special Community Day session ahead of the main Congress program.    

Friend of the Shane Warne Legacy, Shane Watson, said his mate Warnie would be chuffed with the way the community had embraced the Legacy program, rolling up their sleeves in the name of better health. 

鈥淪hane would have been so proud of the impact that鈥檚 being achieved through these health checks,鈥� Mr Watson said.  

鈥淚 have a history of type 2 diabetes in my family, so encouraging people to get a free health check and understand their risk factors is something that鈥檚 very close to my heart. To do that in Shane鈥檚 honour and see it be such a success is a real privilege.鈥�  

AFL legend and type 1 diabetes advocate Paddy McCartin said the Congress would be a place for people living with all types of diabetes to hear the latest in research and innovation, while sharing community and lived experience stories.  

 
“I want every person diagnosed to know that this condition doesn鈥檛 have to hold you back. With the right support and mindset, you can achieve anything.” 

Ms Cain said the Congress and Community Day would explore the impact that diabetes has on not just the individual but on the wider community and the health system, as well as inspiring stories of resilience, and growth, among the latest from global leaders in diabetes, metabolic, and cardiovascular research.聽

鈥淭oo often, conversations about diabetes happen without enough input from the people who live with it every day. Community Day is about changing that. It puts the voices, experiences and聽expertise聽of people living with diabetes at the centre of the discussion, because they are experts in what it takes to live well with this condition,鈥� Ms Cain said.聽

鈥淏ringing together people living with diabetes, families, clinicians, researchers and advocates alongside global experts creates a powerful opportunity to learn from one another, challenge assumptions and drive meaningful change,鈥� she said. 

Shane Warne Legacy health check stations are available as part of a dedicated Community Day at the International Diabetes Federation Western Pacific Region Congress. 

Free Shane Warne Legacy Health Checks, conducted on SiSU Health Stations, are non-invasive, fast, and free. They include measurements of blood pressure, cholesterol, body mass index (BMI), type 2 diabetes risk, and estimated heart age – crucial indicators of cardiometabolic health. 

The International Diabetes Federation Western Pacific Region Congress will take place this week alongside the Australasian Diabetes Congress and Metabolic Diseases 2026 hosted with the Australian Diabetes Society and the Australian Diabetes Educators Association.  

The event is being delivered in collaboration with the Melbourne Convention Bureau and with support from the Victorian Government鈥檚 Business Events and Tourism Australia鈥檚 Events Bid Fund Program. 

芒果直播 has been appointed to deliver the Commonwealth-funded Insulin Pump Program (IPP).

This announcement will see 芒果直播 deliver the program over the next 3 years on behalf of the Australian Government, ensuring continued access to life-changing diabetes technology for eligible young Australians living with type 1 diabetes.

The Insulin Pump Program was established by the Australian Government in 2008 and has been delivered by Breakthrough T1D Australia (formerly JDRF Australia) since its inception. Originally supporting children under 18 facing the greatest financial barriers to accessing insulin pump therapy, the program expanded in 2022 to include eligible young people up to 21 years of age following sustained advocacy by Breakthrough T1D and the type 1 diabetes community.

The program builds on more than 18 years of delivery by Breakthrough T1D Australia, which established and administered the IPP on behalf of the Australian Government from its inception in 2008.

The IPP provides fully subsidised insulin pumps to children and young people under the age of 21 who meet both financial and clinical eligibility criteria.

芒果直播 Group CEO Justine Cain said delivering the IPP further demonstrates the organisation鈥檚 commitment to supporting people living with diabetes.

鈥淎n insulin pump isn鈥檛 just a medical device, it can be a life saver,鈥� she said.

鈥溍⒐辈� is standing on the frontline of technology access by taking on the delivery of the IPP and we鈥檙e committed to doing so in the best interests of people living with diabetes.

鈥淏y removing significant upfront costs, this program improves access to pumps that would otherwise be financially out of reach for many families,鈥� Ms Cain said.

Insulin pump therapy plays a critical role in supporting improved blood glucose management and enhancing quality of life. It reduces the daily burden of diabetes management by minimising the need for multiple daily injections and enabling more flexible routines for children and their families.

鈥淚mportantly, the IPP helps reduce stress for families, allowing them to focus more on their child鈥檚 overall health and wellbeing.

鈥溍⒐辈� will ensure continuity of access for all existing participants throughout the transition period, with no disruption to current support arrangements,鈥� Ms Cain said.

Delivering the IPP reinforces 芒果直播鈥檚 commitment to improving outcomes and access to care for Australians living with diabetes, particularly children and young people who can benefit most from early access to advanced technology.

The program has a limited number of insulin pumps available each year, and meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee that a pump will be available at the time of application.  

Find out more here: /kids-and-teens/insulin-pump-program/

芒果直播, Australian聽Unity聽and Deakin University join forces to build a more complete picture of life with diabetes.聽

For the first time, the Australian Unity Wellbeing Index will be used to build the most complete picture yet of how diabetes affects Australian鈥檚 lives beyond clinical outcomes and health system costs, thanks to a partnership聽between聽芒果直播,聽Deakin University, and the Australian Unity Support Foundation.听听

The partnership will explore a growing recognition that the true impact of diabetes is not fully captured by hospital visits, treatment costs, or clinical measures alone. 

Current estimates place the financial cost of diabetes to the health system at $9 billion year, but this measure just captures clinical settings.  

International studies indicate that at least one quarter of the impact happens outside of the health system, meaning the real impact to Australians living with diabetes may be vastly under-represented.  

Diabetes impacts beyond clinical management to include mental wellbeing, financial security, personal relationships, community connection and people鈥檚 ability to shape their own lives. 

And, with more than two million Australians living with both diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes, the effects extend to many corners of life.   

Now, the nation鈥檚 leading wellbeing index will produce the most comprehensive snapshot yet of diabetes鈥� wider impact, aiming to shift the conversation towards recognising whole-of-life impact rather than solely relying on health system interactions.   

The Australian Unity Wellbeing Index is a fixture on the national policy-making calendar, with this partnership bringing together the Australian Unity Support Foundation, 芒果直播, and Deakin University to deliver a landmark research project focused on the lived experience of diabetes.   

The partnership was formally launched at聽a聽forum in Melbourne聽today (Wednesday, 12 August), bringing together health leaders, researchers and people living with diabetes to examine what it means to live well with聽diabetes, where聽new聽research is聽needed聽and聽what health systems, services and policymakers can do to better support聽care and management outside of clinical settings.听听

The launch comes ahead of next weeks鈥� International Diabetes Federation Western Pacific Region Congress in Melbourne, where researchers from Deakin University, the Australian Unity Support Foundation and 芒果直播 will introduce the initiative to an international health, research and lived-experience audience. 

Kelly Bayer Rosmarin, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Australian Unity, said the partnership would help build a more complete understanding of whether Australia鈥檚 health and support systems were working for people living with diabetes.  

鈥淲ellbeing isn鈥檛 a soft add-on to healthcare. It is one of the clearest ways we can understand whether care is improving people鈥檚 lives ,鈥� Ms Bayer Rosmarin said.  

鈥淔or more than twenty-five years Australian Unity has studied what helps Australians live well. By applying that evidence to the lived experience of people with diabetes, we can build a clearer picture of what people need and help shape better policy, services and support.鈥�  

Justine Cain, Group CEO, 芒果直播, said the partnership would give greater visibility to the unseen impact of living with diabetes.  

鈥淐linical measures such as glucose monitoring remain essential, but can鈥檛 tell us about the impact diabetes has on daily life,鈥� Ms Cain said.  

鈥淒iabetes care cannot be judged by clinical outcomes alone. If clinicians focus exclusively on HbA1c, weight or other clinical indicators without considering how people feel, function and live with their condition, they are not providing truly person-centred care. 

鈥淧eople living with diabetes can make up to 180 extra decisions a day, and they tell us the impact extends to their mental health, relationships, finances, work and sense of independence. This partnership puts those lived experiences at the centre of the evidence to help us better understand the real cost, and where change is needed,鈥� she said.  

Dr Kate Lycett of Deakin University said rigorous research would provide a pathway for lived experience to inform meaningful policy and practice.  

鈥淐ombining established wellbeing measures with the experiences of people living with diabetes will give us a much richer understanding of the condition鈥檚 impact,鈥� Dr Lycett said.  

鈥淒eakin鈥檚 role is to ensure the partnership is underpinned by rigorous, evidence-based research that can translate lived experience into meaningful improvements in policy, programs and services.鈥�  

People living with diabetes will contribute throughout the development of the research, including through 芒果直播鈥檚 Blue Circle Collective, to ensure the questions asked and the insights generated reflect real-world experiences and priorities.  

The partners intend for the research to contribute to future policy submissions, service design, advocacy and program development, with further details about the research methodology and timing to be announced as the program progresses. 

A new partnership between 芒果直播 and the Medibank Better Health Research Hub will support Monash University to develop a primary care model to better detect and prevent type 2 diabetes in women living with polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS). 

PMOS, formerly known as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), is a hormonal and metabolic condition affecting 1 in 8 women in Australia, with impacts on weight, mental health and wellbeing, skin and the reproductive system.  

Despite women living with the condition having a significantly higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, they often face challenges in diagnosis and prevention options in primary care settings. 

The project will pilot a new screening and management tool for women living with PMOS that integrates into existing general practice workflows, aiming to streamline identification, referrals to specialists and prevention programs including the Get Healthy Service administered by 芒果直播, as well as shared decision-making, into existing approaches to care.  

芒果直播 Group CEO Justine Cain said the project highlighted a significant gap in women鈥檚 health research, with PMOS a well-known risk factor that could help identify and prevent or delay type 2 diabetes.  

鈥淲omen living with PMOS are four times more likely to develop diabetes over their lifetime. That鈥檚 a statistic we鈥檙e hoping to change through the development of better screening and prevention tools,鈥� Ms Cain said.  

鈥淧MOS, like diabetes, can be hard to diagnose, and affects hormonal balance for up to one in eight women. 

鈥淗istoric and ongoing research gaps in women鈥檚 health further complicate this challenge, meaning many women who are diagnosed with PMOS aren鈥檛 informed about their elevated diabetes risk, which is a real concern.  

鈥溍⒐辈� is excited to partner with Medibank and Monash University to deliver research that will drive real change in women鈥檚 health outcomes.鈥� 

Dr Shona Sundaraj, Group Medical Director at Medibank said the research is an opportunity to improve health outcomes for women. 

鈥淭oo many women living with PMOS are not informed about their elevated risk of type 2 diabetes until much later in their healthcare journey,鈥� Dr Sundaraj said. 

鈥淏y better supporting GPs to identify and manage this risk in their patients, we have an opportunity to intervene earlier and improve the long-term health outcomes for our patients.  

鈥淔or the women themselves, it鈥檚 about giving them the knowledge and tools to empower them in their health and healthcare.鈥� 

Monash University Centre for Health Research and Implementation lead investigator Dr Stephanie Cowan said the award would help advance primary care and screening tools that better cater for women鈥檚 health needs.  

鈥淭his funding gives us the opportunity to move beyond knowing what good care looks like for women with PMOS and actually build the systems and tools that make it possible in everyday practice,鈥� Dr Cowan said.  

鈥淏y embedding guideline-recommended screening and lifestyle support directly into GP workflows, this project will ensure that the millions of Australian women with PMOS who face a four-fold higher risk of type 2 diabetes are identified early and connected to care before that risk becomes reality.鈥� 

The project will start in July 2026 and operate until June 2028.  

A total of $230,000 will be invested, with contributions from 芒果直播 and the Medibank Better Health Research Hub to support this important research led by Monash University. 

芒果直播 warmly welcomes Chief Health Officer Brett Fenton’s appointment as an Adjunct Clinical Fellow at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS).

This honorary appointment recognises Mr Fenton’s significant expertise and leadership across the diabetes and healthcare sectors, as well as his ongoing contribution to improving outcomes for people living with, or at risk of, diabetes.

The role further strengthens 芒果直播’s connection to academic and clinical research, supporting the organisation’s commitment to evidence informed practice, advocacy, and service delivery.

Through the appointment, 芒果直播 will benefit from closer engagement with contemporary research and emerging evidence, helping to build valuable partnerships and further strengthen its clinical leadership work 鈥� supporting its purpose to reduce the impact on people living with, or at risk of, diabetes.

Group CEO Justine Cain said 芒果直播 is proud of this well-deserved recognition.

“Brett’s appointment highlights his personal contribution to the diabetes sector, and the important role 芒果直播 plays in translating evidence into action for people living with or at risk of diabetes.

“We congratulate Brett on this significant achievement,” she said.

Mr Fenton said he was looking forward to building stronger connections between research, education and practice to help ensure the best available evidence informs 芒果直播’s work.

“Throughout my career, I have been passionate about ensuring that evidence translates into meaningful improvements in care, services and outcomes for people living with diabetes,” Mr Fenton said.

“I would like to thank Dr Shannon Lin and colleagues at UTS for their support, and acknowledge the many colleagues, consumers, researchers, clinicians and partners who continue to contribute to improving outcomes for people living with or at risk of diabetes,” he said.