Canadian Diabetes Association Applauds Ontario Speech From The Throne

Main Category: Diabetes
Article Date: 30 Nov 2007 - 13:00 PST

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The Canadian Diabetes Association applauded the Government of Ontario's commitment to tackle diabetes in Ontario, as outlined in the Speech from the Throne.

"The Canadian Diabetes Association is pleased that the Government of Ontario understands the seriousness of diabetes and its complications," said Karen Philp, Vice President, Public Policy and Government Relations, Canadian Diabetes Association. "Today's Throne Speech showed that the Premier and his Ministers want comprehensive solutions that will directly help Ontarians living with diabetes, as well as help prevent the more than 1.5 million Ontarians at high risk from developing type 2 diabetes."

Every eight minutes someone in Ontario is diagnosed with diabetes, and the escalation of the number of people diagnosed with this disease places serious pressure on Ontario's healthcare system by contributing to longer wait times and emergency room overcrowding. One in 10 hospital admissions in Ontario is due to people requiring acute care for heart attacks, strokes or kidney failure resulting from their diabetes.

"Helping people with diabetes manage more effectively will help reduce the serious complications of diabetes such as stroke, heart disease, kidney failure or blindness," said Philp. "And that will contribute to decreased costs for the individual and their family and decreased costs for all Ontarians."

Preventing Ontarians from developing type 2 diabetes in the first place is critical to stopping the astonishing predictions of a 75 per cent jump in the number of Ontarians living with diabetes by 2016.

"With one out of 3 Ontario children overweight or obese, we know that they are already at very high risk of developing type 2 diabetes," said Philp. "Therefore, we welcome the government's commitment to fighting childhood obesity through prescribing healthier menus in school cafeterias, as well as creating an Ontario Fitness Challenge program."

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.

Canadian Diabetes Association

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