Life! Program

Program officer

Pauline Pollard, 5229 1922

Quicklinks

Providers of the Lifestyle Modification Program

Program summary

Life! Taking Action on Diabetes (Life!) is an evidence based, behaviour change program that will enable 25,000 Victorians, over 50 years of age and at high risk, to substantially delay or prevent the development of type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Australia - Vic is the Lead Agency for Life!

Detailed studies in America, Finland and China have consistently shown that programs which actively support behavioural change (improved nutrition and physical activity) in people with pre-diabetes, can prevent more than half of the expected progression to type 2 diabetes. Based on the success rate of 58 per cent reduced risk experienced in Finland and America, Life! has the potential to prevent up to 12,000 cases of type 2 diabetes over four years.

The intervention is based on the validated Type 2 Diabetes Risk Test (AUSDRISK); a simple, non-invasive, and reliable tool to identify individuals at high risk for type 2 diabetes. The tool shows that for AUSDRISK scores of 15-20 approximately one person in every three develops type 2 diabetes within 10 years, and for scores of more than 20 approximately one person in every two develops type 2 diabetes within 10 years. Therefore, patients who get a score of 15 or more are at high risk and eligible for referral into Life!

Getting your patients into Life!

Is a simple three step process:

Completion of patient risk test by GP, practice nurse or patient
Score and eligibility confirmed by GP (aged 50 plus, diabetes excluded, 15+ score on AUSDRISK)
Referral and completed AUSDRISK sent to the Facilitator

Please note - if referring the 40-49 y.o group under the Lifestyle Modification Program, GPs must also claim an item number prior to referral. For more information on the Lifestyle Modification Program and applicable MBS item numbers, please refer to MBS Item 701, 703, 705, 707.

Life programs are accredited and delivered by community based public and private sector providers who will have service agreements outlining the required standards for programs and ensuring programs are lead by suitably trained and certified facilitators.

The Life! program will consist of six group sessions, each of 90 minutes duration, running over an eight month period.

To find patients suitable for the Life program, practices can do a search in MD or by using the PEN Clinical Audit Tool.