Canadian Diabetes Association Targets Young Adults For Diabetes Awareness Month

Main Category: Diabetes
Article Date: 02 Nov 2007 - 5:00 PDT

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November is Diabetes Awareness Month and the Canadian Diabetes Association is urging young adults to take diabetes seriously. The disease is having a serious impact on people who have it, people close to them, and on our healthcare system, and the Association recognizes the need to get Canada's younger generations involved.

This year, for Diabetes Awareness Month, the Association will focus on innovative on-line communications to reach a younger demographic. A special interactive website has been developed at www.getserious.ca which uses a novel, lighthearted 'speed dating' concept to drive home a serious message: diabetes is a serious disease with serious impacts.

"According to research conducted by the Canadian Diabetes Association, young adults are informed about diabetes, but do not see it as the serious, potentially life-threatening condition that it is," says Colleen Mulholland, Vice-President of Marketing and Communications, Canadian Diabetes Association. "Canada's future generations need to understand the impact of diabetes. The Canadian Diabetes Association is delivering the message, 'Think diabetes can't affect you because you're young? Think again.'"

Current projections indicate that 3 million Canadians will be affected by diabetes by 2010. Young people have always been affected by type 1 and now more and more children and youth are being diagnosed with type 2. Changes to the diabetes landscape in Canada are being affected by various factors: obesity rates and rising and growing numbers of new Canadians are arriving from high-risk ethnic groups such as people of Hispanic, Asian, South Asian or African descent.

During the month of November, the Association will be using their innovative approach to ensure young adults across Canada understand the importance of managing diabetes and preventing type 2 diabetes.

The Canadian Diabetes Association works to prevent diabetes and improve the quality of life for those affected by diabetes, through research, education, service and advocacy. With a presence in more than 150 communities, the Canadian Diabetes Association's strong network of assistance includes volunteers, employees, healthcare professionals and partners.

http://www.diabetes.ca