Statistics from the National Diabetes Services Scheme indicate 7 per cent of the Ararat population and 8.1 per cent of the Stawell population have the potentially deadly disease.

The national average is 5.1 per cent, while both Ararat and Stawell also measure up poorly against the larger centres of Bendigo (4.5 per cent), Ballarat (4.8 per cent) and Horsham (6.3 per cent).

Diabetes is an incurable condition that can significantly impact on the quality of life and life expectancy of sufferers, if it is not managed effectively.

The most common forms of diabetes are type 1 and type 2 – also known as the “silent killer”.

Type 1 diabetes is characterised by the pancreas’s inability to produce insulin and cannot be prevented.

However, type 2 diabetes, which represents up to 90 per cent of cases, is directly linked to lifestyle factors such as high blood pressure, obesity, poor eating habits and a lack of exercise.

West Wimmera Health Services diabetes educator Lesley Robinson said there was a lot of work being done to raise people’s awareness of diabetes.

“We have an ageing population and we also have a low socio-economic population,” she said.

“Research shows that diabetes can be more prevalent in more disadvantaged groups. We also have a higher rate of people who are overweight or have obesity, which contributes as well.”

Mrs Robinson said while genetics also played a part in the on-set of diabetes, there were also many lifestyle factors that can be addressed.

“Some people have a genetic predisposition for type 2 diabetes,” she said. “Otherwise, lifestyle is a big factor.

“A lack of physical activity, poor food choices and being overweight will increase the risks. We have many programs the hospital and our nurses run to encourage physical activity.”

Stawell Regional Hospital acting primary care manager Rhys Duncan encouraged people who thought they were at risk of diabetes to book an appointment with their doctor.

Mr Duncan said the Stawell Hospital also had a number of dietitians and physiologists who could help people improve their health.

He said locals needed to lift their intake of healthy foods.

“The rate of fruit and vegetable consumption across the (Northern Grampians) Shire is well below the national average,” he said. “The rate of physical activity is also below average.”