A Message from the Honourable Ujjal Dosanjh, Minister of Health and the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of State for Public Health

Diabetes Awareness Month and World Diabetes Day

Each November, Diabetes Awareness Month and World Diabetes Day (on November 14) serve as an opportunity to remind Canadians of the seriousness of diabetes. Diabetes, either juvenile or type 2, is an epidemic with about 1.8 million Canadians and over 150 million people globally.

Even more alarming is that one third of Canadians with diabetes are unaware that they have the condition. The incidence of diabetes is 4 to 6 times higher among First Nations people living on-reserve than among Canadians as a whole.

The theme for this year's World Diabetes Day is foot care - "Put Feet First: Prevent Amputations." Amputation awareness is particularly important because Canadians with diabetes are 20 times more likely to undergo an amputation than a member of the general public.

In addition to being at increased risk for amputations, diabetes sufferers also face other serious risks, such as cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, nerve damage and blindness.

Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90-95 per cent of diabetes cases in Canada. In most cases, type 2 diabetes can be prevented through physical activity, healthy eating and healthy weight loss. Healthy Living can also prevent and reduce complications for individuals with diabetes.

The Public Health Agency of Canada is committed to diabetes awareness, prevention and management through the Canadian Diabetes Strategy. Within the $300 million for the new Integrated Strategy on Healthy Living and Chronic Disease, funding to renew and enhance the Canadian Diabetes Strategy (non-Aboriginal elements) will total $90 million over five years, rising from $15 to $18 million annually. Under the enhanced Strategy, a significant new direction will be followed, targeting Canadians who are at high-risk for diabetes, including those who are overweight, obese or have pre-diabetes. As well, the National Diabetes Surveillance System will be enhanced. These new investments are informed by the consultations with provinces, territories and diabetes partners.

Budget 2005 also enhances Health Canada's Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative to $25 million in the first year, growing to $55 million annually at maturity. The Initiative works to address the high prevalence of diabetes among Aboriginal people.

Those living with diabetes face a daily struggle with diet restrictions or may need insulin injections to stay alive. Research is their only hope for a cure. Through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the government of Canada has invested close to $18 million for juvenile and type 2 diabetes research in 2004-05. CIHR also allocated $12 million for research more broadly relating to diabetes and its complications.

This November, we encourage Canadians to remember the importance of healthy lifestyles in preventing diabetes and the necessity of managing diabetic conditions. For more information on diabetes, talk to your health care provider or visit the Public Health Agency of Canada's Web site.