Take action to prevent diabetes this November, Report

November is Diabetes Awareness Month, and The Canadian Diabetes Association is taking the opportunity to drive diabetes awareness, as the disease has reached epidemic proportions in Canada.

“With a staggering one in three Canadians already living with diabetes or prediabetes, including an estimated 1.5 million with undiagnosed diabetes, we must take action now to stop the growth and impact of this disease,” says Rick Blickstead, President and CEO of the CDA. “Diabetes Awareness Month and World Diabetes Day are times to shine a spotlight on diabetes, educate Canadians about the disease, and help all of us find out our level of risk for type 2 diabetes so we can take action.”

As part of this effort, the CDA’s current awareness campaign (in partnership with Sun Life Financial and supported by Novo Nordisk) encourages everyone to visit DiabetesTest.ca to take the online CANRISK test and learn their risk level for developing type 2 diabetes. The awareness campaign takes a playful look at the misconceptions people often have about type 2 diabetes, and is a reminder that you may be at risk even if you don’t fit the stereotypical model of someone with type 2 diabetes.

The CDA has also launched the 21 Day Challenge to End Diabetes, encouraging Canadians to form a new, healthy habit for 21 days and challenge others to do the same. By taking part in this fundraiser, Canadians will improve their health and help end diabetes by raising vital funds to support diabetes research, education and support programs.

“There are many risk factors for type 2 diabetes, some of which we can’t control. Regular exercise and a healthy diet can make a difference in preventing or delaying the onset of type 2 diabetes,” says Dr. Jan Hux, Chief Science Officer for the CDA. “The 21 Day Challenge is designed to help people make a positive and lasting change in their life while supporting the work of the CDA.”

In addition to the two main campaigns, local CDA offices across Canada will be holding events throughout Diabetes Awareness Month.

Agencies/Canadajournal