Diabetes

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a serious chronic condition that impedes the production and/or proper use of insulin, a hormone vital to normal metabolism. Although there is no cure for diabetes it can be managed to avoid the development of complications such as: limb amputation, blindness and kidney disease.

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes usually occurs in childhood and accounts for five to 10 per cent of all diagnosed cases of diabetes. Type 1 is not preventable. Individuals with type 1 diabetes manage their condition with insulin, diet, exercise and drugs. Individuals living with type 1 diabetes are at greater risk of long-term complications such as limb amputation, blindness, kidney failure, heart disease, stroke and premature death.

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes affects individuals usually after the age of 40, but it can occur at an earlier age. It accounts for 90–95 per cent of all diagnosed cases of diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is preventable. Type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed by modifying two known risk factors – obesity and physical inactivity. Physical inactivity and unhealthy eating lead to obesity, and play a major role in the onset and progression of type 2 diabetes.

About a third of adults with type 2 diabetes are unaware that they have the condition, which without treatment, puts them at a greater risk of long-term complications such as limb amputation, blindness, kidney failure, heart disease, stroke and premature death.

In 2005, approximately 130,000 Albertans had been diagnosed with diabetes. Every month almost 1,000 new cases are added to that total.

Initiatives under the Alberta Diabetes Strategy

Alberta Health and Wellness (AHW) has formed a number of partnerships and funded initiatives/programs under the 10-year Alberta Diabetes Strategy to address diabetes:

  • AHW, in partnership with the Canadian Diabetes Association, disseminated province wide type 2 diabetes prevention messages in 2004-2006.
  • The Mobile Diabetes Screening Initiative, led by the University of Alberta, utilizes a team of health professionals who visit off-reserve Aboriginal and northern communities to screen individuals for diabetes and its complications. Since 2003, the team has visited 19 communities.
  • The Alberta Monitoring for Health (AMFH) Program, administered by the Canadian Diabetes Association, provides support to assist in the purchase of some diabetes supplies for low income Albertans without insurance.
  • The Alberta Diabetes Surveillance System Project, a five-year project led by the Institute of Health Economics, will facilitate dissemination of diabetes surveillance information (e.g. incidence, prevalence and service utilization) to regional health authorities and other stakeholders. The first of three, bi-annual Alberta Diabetes Atlases will be published in early 2007.
  • The Centre for Health Promotion Studies (CHPS), University of Alberta started in November 2004 the Healthy Alberta Communities Project, Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes and Other Chronic Diseases (cancer and cardiovascular), to change diet and physical activity at an individual and community level (Edmonton city center communities, Bonnyville/St. Paul and Medicine Hat). The project is part of the demonstration project for the World Health Organization’s Countrywide Integrated Non-Communicable Disease Intervention (CINDI), which involves internationally recognized researchers on obesity, healthy living, and chronic disease prevention.

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