It is important for both your physical and emotional well being that you receive a comprehensive introduction to diabetes.

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) provides a useful reference in that all of their recognised diabetes education programmes must cover 10 key topics. You may wish to use the ADA's list as a guide for what you work through with your diabetes health professionals.

• Diabetes disease process
• Nutritional management
• Physical activity
• Medications
• Monitoring
• Prevent, detect and treat acute complications. The term Acute complications refers to hypoglycaemia, hyperglycaemia, ketoacidosis and infection
• Prevent, detect and treat chronic complications through risk reduction. Chronic complications refers to long term conditions such as retinopathy (eye disease), nephropathy (kidney disease)
• Goal setting and problem solving
• Psychological adjustment
• Reconception care, management during pregnancy, and gestational management (where appropriate).

This Starter Kit should never replace comprehensive personalised diabetes education delivered to you by an experienced, qualified and caring team of health professionals.

On behalf of the hundreds of people with diabetes and many generous health professionals who have contributed in a variety of ways, and over many years, we wish you well on your journey with diabetes.