Homogeneity of metabolic control in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, Australia.

Socioeconomic disadvantage is associated with higher morbidity and poorer health behavior, despite higher rates of health service utilization (1). In a study of American children with diabetes, lower socioeconomic status was associated with poorer glycemic control and more hypoglycemic episodes (2). In an audit of 1,190 children with type 1 diabetes aged <15 years, we examined whether socioeconomic disadvantage or urban/rural location affect metabolic control in Australia, which has universal health insurance and subsidies for diabetes supplies. Case attainment, based on the Diabetes Register, was 67% of all eligible children living in New South Wales (NSW) and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). There were 649 girls and …