As we move through the winter months, it’s a good time to think about your skin, your feet, and any wounds that might be slow to heal. In this issue, we are sharing simple, practical information, important dates, and news from our upcoming Wound Awareness Week.
National Diabetes Week: 12–18 July 2026
This year’s Diabetes Australia national campaign was called Living Out Loud. It invited people living with diabetes along with their families, carers, and health workers to share what they wish others understood about life with diabetes. It was a great opportunity to put a spotlight on diabetes and its connection with increased chronic wound risk.
If you live with diabetes, you may already know that it can increase your risk of developing a wound, especially on your feet. Right now, around 50,000 Australians have a diabetes-related foot ulcer, and another 300,000 are at risk of developing one.1
Why does this happen? Diabetes can reduce the feeling in your feet, affect your circulation, and slow down your body’s healing process. That means a small cut, blister, or graze can turn into something more serious if it isn’t noticed and looked after early.
The good news: small habits make a big difference.
If you or someone you care for lives with diabetes, here are a few simple things that really help:
Check your feet regularly
Even a quick daily look can catch problems early
Know what to look for
Redness, blisters, hard skin (callus), or any break in the skin
Don’t wait it out
If something doesn’t look right, get it checked sooner rather than later
Ask questions
You have a right to understand your own care
Involve your whole care team
GPs, podiatrists, diabetes educators and other health workers can all play a part
Early action matters. A wound that is recognised and managed promptly is more likely to heal and less likely to progress to serious complications.
Want to learn more?
Two easy-to-read factsheets can help:
Nutrition and wound care: supporting healing from the inside out
Good nutrition isn’t just about general health. It plays a real role in keeping your skin strong and helping wounds heal.
Your body needs enough energy, protein, fluids, vitamins, and minerals to repair skin and fight off infection. If you have any questions or concerns, contact a GP, dietitian, or other health professional for support.
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Featured resource: Be Wound Aware summary factsheet
This edition, we are highlighting our Be Wound Aware summary factsheet, a simple guide to help everyday Australians understand chronic wounds and why timely care matters.
Chronic wounds (ones that don’t heal within 30 days) can affect much more than just your skin. They can impact your mobility, independence, and overall quality of life.
This Be Wound Aware resource is designed to help people understand what to look out for, when to seek help and why the right care at the right time matters.
- Understand what a wound is
- Know the warning signs to look out for
- Find out where to go for help
SOS: Save Our Skin!
Wound Awareness Week 2026 theme
Each year, thousands of people take part in Wound Awareness Week to show their support for more than 450,000 Australians living with chronic, hard-to-heal wounds. This year, we’re sending out an SOS for skin health!
Our theme is Be Wound Aware | SOS: Save Our Skin, running 28 September – 4 October. During this year’s Wound Awareness Week we will focus on the vital role skin plays in protecting health and wellbeing.
Why not get involved? Host a morning tea fundraiser or show your support on social media—every action makes a difference.
About the Week
Wound Awareness Week is Wounds Australia’s national initiative dedicated to educating the community about wound prevention, identification, and treatment.
Throughout the week, healthcare organisations, clinicians, consumers and community partners take part in activities that promote skin health and support people living with wounds.
Visit Wound Aware for more information.
Stay connected
Wound Aware is here for everyone touched by wounds, patients, carers, families, and the wider community. We provide trusted and easy-to-understand information.
Thank you for being part of the movement to reduce the harm caused by wounds.
Follow us on social media!
Stay up to date with Wound Aware across Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.
Who is Wounds Australia?
Wounds Australia is the national peak body for the prevention, treatment, management, and healing of wounds. We work to ensure patients receive the best quality care possible and, even more importantly, to minimise unnecessary suffering and expense by preventing chronic wounds from occurring in the first place.
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References:
1. Chan, T. L., Sadler, S., Searle, A., Hennessy, K., Lanting, S., & Chuter, V. (2026). Social Determinants of Diabetes-Related Foot Ulcer Healing and Amputation in Australia: A Systematic Review. Journal of foot and ankle research, 19(1), e70107. https://doi.org/10.1002/jfa2.70107
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