World Diabetes Day

News Releases

YELLOWKNIFE (November 14, 2014) – November 14th is World Diabetes Day (WDD) and Minister of Health and Social Services Glen Abernethy is urging Northwest Territories residents to choose a healthy lifestyle to help prevent diabetes and other chronic diseases.

“Diabetes is a major public health issue in both the Northwest Territories and Canada,” said Minister Abernethy. “The Government of the Northwest Territories is working towards creating a health care system that will support people in making healthy choices and ensure the best possible care for residents when they need it.”

On average, there are approximately 200 new diagnoses of diabetes among NWT residents aged one and older each year.

Obesity is a significant risk factor for Type 2 diabetes. Between 2002/03 and 2008/09, the prevalence of diabetes in the Northwest Territories has increased steadily from 2.9% to 4.4%.

The Department of Health and Social Services is working towards helping residents maintain good health and preventing and detecting diabetes early with several initiatives.

Working in conjunction with the Canadian Diabetes Association, the Department recently developed and implemented NWT-specific clinical practice guidelines for screening and diagnosing Type 2 diabetes.  These guidelines will also help people to recognize their own personal responsibility for their health.

The Department has also developed a healthy eating questionnaire, a healthy eating booklet and a series of nutritional fact sheets, to help people make healthy food choices and reduce their risk of developing diabetes. Visit www.choosenwt.com for more information on the healthy eating booklet and questionnaire. Additional information on healthy eating and proper nutrition is available in our NWT Nutritional Fact Sheets.

The World Diabetes Day campaign is led by the International Diabetes Federation and its member associations. This year’s WDD theme is Healthy Living and Diabetes.

Media inquiries:

Damien Healy
Manager Planning and Communications
Department of Health and Social Services
Tel: (867) 920-8927
Email: Damien_healy@gov.nt.ca