Young adults with diabetes face depression.

A Diabetes Australia research project has discovered that almost one in four 16-23-year-olds with type 1 diabetes also struggle with long-term depression. The Young Adults with Diabetes Needs Analysis surveyed 300 young adults with type 1 diabetes, also known as juvenile diabetes. Results indicate that the transition from the child healthcare system to the adult health care system is difficult for young adults with diabetes: around 60% of respondents were reluctant to access adult diabetes support services because these services tended to focus on the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Associate Professor Fergus Cameron, head of diabetes services at the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne, said that 'as they move from paediatric care to the adult hospital setting, we know many young people can become at increased risk of dropping the ball with the management of their condition,' leading to serious health problems later in life. Early findings from the study were presented at the National Diabetes Youth Forum in August (Herald Sun: 22/8/06, online edition; 25/8/09, p.33).