WORK CONTINUES TO PREVENT AND MANAGE DIABETES IN SASKATCHEWAN

Health Minister Don McMorris, along with other MLAs and employees went through a short risk assessment for diabetes today at the Legislative Building, as part of National Diabetes Awareness Month.

Diabetes can be preventable, as many as 50 per cent of type 2 diabetes cases can be prevented by early detection and lifestyle changes. About 70,000 people in the province have been diagnosed with diabetes, and researchers estimate another 35,000 are unaware they have the disease.

"When your children are young you teach them to look both ways before crossing the street, to keep them safe from the potential dangers of a busy street," McMorris said. "We need to do the same for diabetes, by learning about the risks and signs and taking steps to prevent or manage the disease."

"Left unmanaged, diabetes results in complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, blindness and amputation," Canadian Diabetes Association Saskatchewan Regional Director Warren Wagner said. "The cost of this disease is enormous to individuals and families and to our health care system."

The risk assessments were conducted by staff and volunteers from the Canadian Diabetes Association and the Metabolic and Diabetes Education Centre of Regina General Hospital. MLAs and others were able to have their blood glucose tested and talk with diabetes educators about risk factors.

The Saskatchewan Government funds a number of chronic disease education, prevention and management programs across the province. For people with, or at risk of diabetes, there are programs offered by the health care system or organizations like the Canadian Diabetes Association to promote healthy eating, regular exercise and other steps to prevent or manage the disease.

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For more information, contact:

Tyler McMurchy
Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083