 |
| Backgrounder(s) & FactSheet(s): | Backgrounder |
|
| Backgrounder(s) & FactSheet(s): | Backgrounder |
VICTORIA – November is Diabetes Awareness Month, and Minister of State for ActNow BC Gordon Hogg and the Canadian Diabetes Association are reminding British Columbians today of the importance of maintaining a healthy diet and exercising daily to reduce the risk of diabetes and heart disease.
“We are facing significant changes in the health of our province as our population ages and waistlines grow. Each of us can make an impact when it comes to diseases like diabetes,” said Hogg. “With early diagnosis and healthy lifestyle choices, we can considerably lower our risk of heart disease and other complications of diabetes.”
Four out of five Canadians with diabetes will die of heart disease, and living with diabetes puts people 15 years closer to a heart attack or stroke.
A special website has been developed for the Canadian Diabetes Association’s November campaign at www.getserious.ca, which includes a quiz that tells you your current cardiovascular age and level of risk, and offers prevention and management tips.
“Now is the time for all of us to get our action plans ready to prevent the deadly link between diabetes and heart disease,” says Jean Blake, executive director of the Canadian Diabetes Association, Pacific Area. “We are also urging everyone aged 40 and over to speak to their health professional about diabetes prevention.”
The Canadian Diabetes Association recommends routine diabetes screening every three years for everyone aged 40 and over and annually for people with additional risk factors such as a family history of diabetes.
A few facts to note about the impact of diabetes on Canadians:
· Two million Canadians have diabetes, and it is estimated another four million have pre-diabetes.
· One in three Canadians who have type 2 diabetes don’t know it.
· Approximately 250,000 people, or one in 13 British Columbians, have diabetes, and that number is expected to grow by 22 per cent by 2010.
· Medical costs in Canada are two to three times higher for people with diabetes.
· Diabetes and its complications cost the Canadian health-care system an estimated $13.2 billion every year.
ActNow BC initiatives provide more opportunities for British Columbians to make better choices in healthy eating, physical activity and reducing tobacco use, leading to healthier weights, better overall health and reduced rates of chronic diseases, such as diabetes.
The Province is also helping doctors and people living with diabetes to better manage the disease. There are more than 2,500 general practitioners and 90,000 patients with diabetes involved in the B.C. Diabetes Collaborative and General Practice Services Committee incentives, which brings together doctors, health authorities and health organizations.
Across B.C., the Ministry of Health funds 80 diabetes education centres, staffed by health-care professionals who provide support and information on healthy eating, safe use of medications and how to prevent complications from the disease.
Throughout November, the Canadian Diabetes Association will be hosting a number of educational symposiums to help British Columbians manage their diabetes and prevent serious health complications.
The Canadian Diabetes Association works to prevent diabetes, and improve the quality of life for those affected, through research, education, service and advocacy. The association’s network of assistance includes volunteers, employees, health-care professionals and partners in 150 communities. For more information, call 604 732 INFO (4636) or toll-free 1-800-268-4656, or visit www.diabetes.ca. The association also operates North America’s only Chinese Diabetes Information Line at 1-888-666-8586.
The BC HealthGuide program has information on diabetes and self-care available online at www.bchealthguide.org or by calling the BC NurseLine at 604 215-4700 within Greater Vancouver, toll-free at 1-866-215-4700 elsewhere in B.C.
For more information on ActNow BC, visit www.actnowbc.gov.bc.ca.
-30-
|
|
||
|
contact: |
Communications Director Ministry of Tourism, Sport and the Arts 250 356-9869 |
Marketing & Communications Canadian Diabetes Association – Pacific Area 604 732-1331 ext. 224 |
|
|
||
|
For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. |
||
