Hope for diabetes ‘hot spot’ Logan with prevention program success

The Logan Healthy Living program is tackling the south Brisbane region’s high rates of type 2 diabetes, affecting over 23,000 locals. The program focuses on empowering Logan individuals to take control of their health over 12 months. Recent program results show reduced hospitalisations. 

Logan Healthy Living program helping local lives and hospitals

When Clifford Magee was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in July 2024, his GP recommended he join the Logan Healthy Living program, with a bold 12-month plan to cease his medication. 

‘That big carrot is hanging there,’ Clifford Magee said. ‘I have halved my medication since I commenced the program – and I think that speaks for itself.’ 

Located south of Brisbane, the City of Logan is one of Australia’s diabetes hot spots, with more than 23,000 people living with the condition. Notably, type 2 diabetes is the most common cause of potentially preventable hospitalisations in Logan, which is 40% higher than the national average.  

To address these alarming statistics, and support this community need, Health and Wellbeing Queensland and an alliance of partners created a targeted chronic disease prevention program called Logan Healthy Living, delivered by UQ Health Care. 

The Logan Healthy Living program, which also supports university student placements and postgraduate research projects, focuses on preventive health, interprofessional practice, innovation and outcomes-based care. 

‘UQ Health Care, along with Health and Wellbeing Queensland and partners, have effectively built and delivered a real difference for the people of Logan and the South Brisbane region,’ said Wallis Westbrook, CEO UQ Health Care. 

‘We have forged a collaborative model of care placing people in the middle with control of their care and wellness pathways.’ 

When comparing participant data in the 12 months before versus the 12 months during the program, there are significant results:

• 10% reduction in the total number of hospital admissions (any cause)
• 10% reduction in the total number of hospital bed days (any cause)
• 30% reduction in the total number of people presenting to emergency (any cause)
• Almost 40% reduction in the number of people with at least one hospitalisation (any cause)   

‘This is what we set out to achieve when we launched Logan Healthy Living in 2021, and the successful outcomes demonstrate a model for scalable, integrated chronic disease prevention and care,’ said Dr Robyn Littlewood, Chief Executive, Health and Wellbeing Queensland. 

Type 2 diabetes accounts for up to 90% of diabetes cases in Australia and is strongly associated with preventable risk factors. Around 53% of cases are linked to factors such as excess body weight. 

Chronic diseases in Queensland are increasing and pose a significant challenge to our wellbeing, and our health system. 

• more than half (53.6%) of the people living in Queensland had at least one chronic condition in 2022
• almost 1-in-3 Queenslanders were living with one chronic condition 
• another 1-in-5 were living with more than one of these conditions 

Unhealthy weight now a leading risk factor to disease

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s (AIHW) Australian Burden of Disease Study 2024 reports unhealthy weight has now surpassed tobacco as the leading risk factor contributing to Australia’s disease burden in 2024.  

‘Now is the time to be exploring how we continue to deliver here in Logan and look to expand the model to other regions with higher-than-average instances of chronic conditions, especially type 2 diabetes,’ said Wallis Westbrook.  

‘Logan Healthy Living proves that a well-planned and effectively delivered program can change people’s lives.’  

Health and Wellbeing Queensland has provided $2.25 million to support Logan Healthy Living, which is delivered through a Queensland-first alliance with The University of Queensland, UQ Health Care, Metro South Health, Brisbane South Primary Health Network and Griffith University.  

Sources:

1. Logan local government area, Metro South Health. Department of Health. (April 2024). https:/ /www. metrosouth.health.qld.gov.au/ __data/ assets/ pdf_file/ 0024/ 291453/ health-indicators-22-logan-lga. pdf 
2. Queensland Health. The health of Queenslanders. Report of the Chief Health Officer Queensland (2025). https://www.choreport.health.qld.gov.au/our-health/chronic-diseases 

This content has been developed by Health and Wellbeing Queensland’s team of expert nutritionists, dietitians, and exercise physiologists. Always visit your healthcare professional for dietary advice tailored to your circumstances.