During November which is Diabetes Awareness Month, Islanders are encouraged to take a simple online test to determine their risk for type 2 diabetes, says Health and Wellness Minister Doug Currie.
“Diabetes is a serious health concern in our province that almost 15,000 Islanders deal with every day. If left undiagnosed and untreated, diabetes can cause life-threatening complications such as heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, blindness and amputation,” said Minister Currie. “When people are aware of the risks, they can make choices that decrease their chance of developing prediabetes or type 2 diabetes.”
The two-minute online test is a project of the Canadian Diabetes Association. The Make Time campaign encourages Islanders to find two minutes to take a simple online risk test at www.take2minutes.ca or talk to their health care provider about their risk.
Islanders diagnosed with diabetes can access a provincial diabetes program to help them maintain and enhance their quality of life. Over the past three years, over 7,700 Islanders participated in the diabetes program, including 4,100 people since September 2014.
“Through our provincial diabetes strategy, we have improved access to diabetes medications, equipment and supplies, including the insulin pump program for children,” said the minister. “We continue to work with our partners to increase public awareness of diabetes and engage Islanders in activities like this one to help them take more control over their own health.”
“The number of Islanders with Diabetes is projected to rise to 21,000 in 2025, so we want everyone to take two minutes for the online test to find out their risk, ” said Terry Lewis, Canadian Diabetes Association. “Knowing your risk of type 2 diabetes and taking action to lower it, if needed, is really important for your health. We all can play a part to limit the number of people living with type 2 diabetes.”
Take the two minute test: www.take2minutes.ca
Learn more about the provincial diabetes program: www.peidiabetes.pe.ca/