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Message from the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health
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Diabetes Awareness Month
November 2011
November is Diabetes Awareness Month in Canada and November 14th is World Diabetes Day. As Minister of Health, I am committed to helping Canadians recognize their risk of developing diabetes and how to manage the disease.
Approximately two million Canadians have been diagnosed with diabetes, and many more are unaware they have the disease. The majority of Canadians diagnosed with diabetes today have type 2 diabetes. Since type 2 diabetes can often be prevented or delayed, I encourage you to get the information you need to reduce your 
risk.
For those living with diabetes, it is important to understand how to manage the disease and its complications. Good nutrition, regular exercise and management of blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose can substantially reduce the risk of developing complications or slow their progression. Diabetes can lead to serious complications including heart disease and stroke, blindness, chronic kidney disease, nervous system damage and amputation.
The Government of Canada leads the Canadian Diabetes Strategy (CDS) which brings together governments, health organizations and community-based groups to help address diabetes. The CDS focuses on the prevention, early detection and management of all types of diabetes. Through this strategy, information and resources are developed to help Canadians understand their risks and protect their health.
The Government has also committed $275 million over five years (2010-2015) to continue supporting health promotion and disease prevention in more than 600 communities through the Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative. We are supporting Canadians in making healthy choices through the promotion of healthy eating and physical activity. Our initiatives include: Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide, the Eat Well and Be Active Educational Toolkit and the Children's Fitness Tax Credit.
We all have a role to play in managing our health and reducing our risk. Diabetes is a serious disease and I encourage all Canadians to find out more this November.
Leona Aglukkaq
Minister of Health
Government of Canada
