News Release

November 14, 2008
For immediate release

Canada's Government Recognizes World Diabetes Day

OTTAWA, November 14, 2008 – November 14^th is World Diabetes Day – a time to raise awareness of a disease that affects millions of Canadians and their families.

"Our government is committed to continue to take action in the fight against diabetes," said the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health. "It is important that we educate ourselves as individuals to learn about what we can do to ensure we live longer, healthier lives and prevent chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes."

New data released today by the Public Health Agency of Canada in the latest Report from the National Diabetes Surveillance System shows that approximately 1.9 million Canadians have been diagnosed with diabetes, and many more are unaware they have the disease. The number of Canadians diagnosed continues to rise, and will reach approximately 2.6 million by 2011 – an average annual increase of 7 per cent.

This is why the Government of Canada is taking action to prevent and manage diabetes and to help enhance the lives of people living with the disease. Through such programs as the Canadian Diabetes Strategy and the Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative, as well as supporting diabetes-related research through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the federal Government is able to address complications associated with the disease and to take steps to help prevent diabetes.

Factsheets highlighting preventative action, key risk factors and complications for diabetes, as well as the main findings of the Report from the National Diabetes Surveillance System: Diabetes in Canada, 2008 are available at www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/cd-mc/diabetes-diabete.

For more information on diabetes in Canada and for valuable information on risk factors, prevention and management of diabetes, visit www.publichealth.gc.ca.

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For more information, please contact:

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Josée Bellemare
Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Health
(613) 957-0200

Philippe Brideau
Media Relations, Public Health Agency of Canada
(613) 948-7970