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News - New Brunswick
New comprehensive diabetes strategy announced
Canadian Diabetes Association applauds New Brunswick government
FREDERICTON, New Brunswick (June 3, 2011) – Canadian Diabetes Association volunteers, advocates, and partners in healthcare have a good reason to be optimistic about the future of diabetes care and chronic disease management in New Brunswick.
In an announcement given today, Health Minister Madeleine Dubé released A Comprehensive Diabetes Strategy for New Brunswickers 2011-15, underlining the province’s commitment to reducing the burden on our healthcare system. A $2.5 million investment has been allocated to the plan’s first year of implementation.
Recently, the Association released a report entitled Diabetes: Canada at the Tipping Point – Charting a New Path, showing that unless action is taken immediately, diabetes will threaten the health of millions of more Canadians and the future sustainability of the Canadian healthcare system and our economy.
“We are encouraged to see the government’s commitment to deliver on some of our key recommendations including access to necessary supplies, devices such as insulin pumps, and medications,” says Jake Reid, Maritime Regional Director, Canadian Diabetes Association.
The establishment of a new chronic disease prevention and management unit will also be established with an initial primary focus on diabetes. “The Association has been advocating for a program that will standardize and improve the quality of care and we look forward to working with this new unit to support all New Brunswickers living with diabetes,” says Reid.
Last year, the Canadian Diabetes Association released a report that identified the growing burden of diabetes in the province. The New Brunswick Diabetes Cost Model found that both the cost and prevalence of diabetes in the province were at dramatically high levels and, left unchecked, would continue to rise over the next decade.
It is estimated that in New Brunswick, there are currently 65,000 people diagnosed with diabetes (8.6 per cent of the population), and this will rise to 88,000 (10.9 per cent of the population) by 2020. This challenge becomes magnified when we consider that the rate of those with undiagnosed diabetes in New Brunswick has been estimated to be as high as 30 per cent.
The Association also acknowledges the hard work and dedication of volunteer advocates who have been addressing this public health issue and sharing personal stories to government officials.
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About the Canadian Diabetes Association
Across the country, the Canadian Diabetes Association is leading the fight against diabetes by helping people with diabetes live healthy lives while we work to find a cure. Our community-based network of supporters help us provide education and services to people living with diabetes, advocate for our cause, break ground towards a cure and translate research into practical applications.
Please visit diabetes.ca, join us on facebook.com/CanadianDiabetesAssociation, follow us on Twitter @DiabetesAssoc, or call 1-800-BANTING (226-8464).
For additional information or to arrange for an interview, please contact:
Sherry Calder
Canadian Diabetes Association
Manager, Marketing & Communications (Atlantic Canada)
Tel: (902) 453-3529
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