The Challenge
Diabetes is a devastating issue in remote Indigenous communities, where socioeconomic disadvantages and limited access to healthcare and education are prevalent. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, diabetes is a leading cause of heart disease, costing the health system over $3 billion annually. Improving health outcomes for patients with diabetes will significantly enhance overall community health.
Project Overview
A trial is being conducted to address diabetes in remote Indigenous communities by testing the efficacy of a once-weekly model of care using GLP1 agonist drugs. Closing the gap on Aboriginal life expectancy is, and always has been, the driving force behind this work.
Across five states and ten communities, 260 participants will be divided into standard and intensive care groups. The trial aims to establish a sustainable and effective care model that can be replicated in other Indigenous communities.
Project Outcomes
- Understand Intensive Lifestyle Programs: Assess the impact and feasibility of an intensive lifestyle program in remote settings.
- Evaluate Clinical Outcomes: Measure the effectiveness of the once-weekly model of care. On key outcomes including glycaemic control, weight reduction, renal and cardiac outcomes.
- Understand Heart Failure: Gain insights into heart failure in Indigenous communities.
- Impact on Hospitalisation Rates: Determine the effect on hospitalisation rates.
- Establish Guidelines: Develop new guidelines for a once-weekly model of care for Indigenous Australians.
Measuring Impact
Hearts and Minds measures its impact across six core categories as developed by the Association of Australian Medical Research Institutes. Key highlights include:
Advancing Knowledge
- Collaborations: The project has various collaborators across the Eastern States, including a strong Indigenous Advisory Board focused on community safety, engagement, and trial efficacy.
- Publications: A/Prof Cohen has published two papers on a small-scale trial of the once-weekly model of care, which forms the basis of this project.
- Community engagement: Approached other communities and Diabetes Australia for participation.
Research Capacity Building
- Mentorship and involvement: National involvement and mentorship of colleagues, including research staff who are practising health professionals and Indigenous Aboriginal healthcare workers.
Health Impacts
The program has the potential to:
- Improve health status: Enhance the health of Indigenous communities and reduce complications such as heart and kidney failure.
- Improve diabetes outcomes: This model of care, together with tirzepatide (not yet on the PBS), could significantly reduce diabetes-related deaths and complications in indigenous communities.
- Reduce healthcare burden: Decrease the strain on healthcare and hospital systems.
Economic Impacts
- Job creation: Various jobs created for regional and remote communities.
- Support from Dell: Dell have generously supplied computers and technology support pro-bono for the trial.
- Support from Eli Lilly Global: Eli Lilly will supply all of the required study drug (tirzepatide) for participants pro-bono for the duration of the trial. Value: $1.5 million.
Social Impacts
The program has the potential to:
- Address health inequity: Support remote Indigenous communities disproportionately affected by chronic disease and reduced life expectancy.
- Improve access to care: Deliver more accessible diabetes services in areas where healthcare and education are limited by distance and socioeconomic disadvantage.
- Strengthen community engagement: Build health literacy and empower individuals to better manage diabetes through locally relevant education and support.
Informing Decisions
- Develop guidelines: The findings from the trial will inform future guidelines for the treatment of diabetes in remote Indigenous communities.
By addressing diabetes through innovative care models and fostering collaboration, this project aims to significantly improve health outcomes and quality of life for Indigenous Australians with diabetes in remote communities.
Funding support from Hearts and Minds Investments, as nominated by Core Fund Manager, TDM Growth Partners.
This content was last updated in July 2025, for further information visit Baker Hearts and Diabetes Institute.
