15/05/2026
A new study has provided the first in-depth account of Aboriginal people's experiences living with diabetes foot disease (DFD) in the Kimberley.
The disease is the leading cause of amputation in Australia and has mortality rates worse than most cancers.
Aboriginal people are disproportionately affected by DFD, and in Western Australia, they can be up to 39 times more likely to need an amputation for a diabetic foot problem.
The project was led by Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Service in partnership with local organisations and WA Country Health Services.
Public health physician and GP Emma Griffiths, one of the paper's leading researchers, said early detection was key to preventing amputation.
"The big message that we want to get out to everyone is to look after your feet and to see your health provider if you need to," she said.
Senior manager of the population health unit at KAMS, Courtney Fairfull, said there was a high-risk foot service available to patients in the Kimberley, in addition to primary health care.
"It's really important given the fact that early prevention and timely care is required to prevent any major amputations," she said.
Foot Initiative Health Promotion Officer Johann Jack urged those at risk to wear the right size shoe, check their feet and attend clinics if they had concerns.
The research paper can be found at https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/ajr.70184
MORE LOCAL NEWS: https://ab.co/KimberleyNewsletter
