New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveals Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people suffer one of the highest rates of diabetes in the world.

Almost one in six (15.5 per cent) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults have diabetes and one in four (25.7 per cent) have abnormally high total cholesterol levels, according to data released this week by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

James Eynstone-Hinkins, ABS head of health statistics, said the health insights provided by the survey "help to identify the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across various regions".

"The survey found that 21.7 per cent of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults in remote areas had diabetes, compared with 14.3 per cent in non-remote areas," he said.

"Diabetes was more common among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 55 and over, at 34.6 per cent, than people aged 18 to 34 years, at 5.5 per cent."

Dr Jason Agostino, Senior Medical Advisor at national peak body of Aboriginal Community-Controlled Health Organisations (NACCHO), told National Indigenous Times finding that almost one in six Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults are living with diabetes is "unacceptably high, but, sadly, not surprising".

"This represents one of the highest rates of diabetes in the world and is more than three times the rate seen among non-Indigenous Australians," he said.

"What is particularly alarming is that one in five people with diabetes is unaware of their diagnosis. This figure has not changed in 12 years since the last study. We know that the number of preventive health checks dropped during the early COVID-19 period, and these latest figures show there is still much work to be done to support people to come into clinics for a health check.

"Early detection is critical. Knowing your risk and being diagnosed early gives people the best chance to manage diabetes and avoid serious complications. With new treatments available, people with diabetes can live long, healthy lives, but the first step is to visit your local clinic for a health check to understand your risk."

The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Measures Survey, 2022-24 results combined analyses of blood and urine samples volunteered by participants with self-reported health information. This showed that one in five Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults who had indicators of diabetes did not report a previous diabetes diagnosis.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults living in non-remote areas were more likely to have abnormally high total cholesterol (27.8 per cent) compared to those living in remote areas (16.5 per cent).

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adult population was found to be iodine sufficient, which is important for healthy thyroid function. Meanwhile, one in four adults (26.6 per cent) were vitamin D deficient.

Dr Agostino said NACCHO is committed to strengthening the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce to tackle chronic diseases like diabetes.

"Through the First Nations Traineeship Program, we are on track to train 500 new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Practitioners," he said.

"Improving access to Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services is also key to reducing diabetes rates.

"Communities hold the solutions to addressing long-term health challenges, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people overwhelmingly prefer to receive care in a community-controlled setting. Yet, more than 140,000 people currently cannot access such a service in their area, and that needs to change."