Northeast Ontario has a higher than provincial average of diabetes

NE LHIN
News Release

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Did you know that drinking one to two sweetened beverages a day such as pop, a sport drink or a can of ice tea - can increase your chance of getting Diabetes by an alarming 26%, according to a study released in the Diabetes Care journal.

Researches of the study attribute the link between sugar-sweetened beverages and type 2 diabetes to weight gain; explaining that consumption of sweetened drinks raises blood sugar and insulin concentrations rapidly, resulting in a higher risk of diabetes and insulin resistance.

Northeastern Ontario has a higher than provincial average of diabetes (12% versus 10%), with a particular risk for the Aboriginal/First Nation/Métis population, of which 24% of people living along the Hudson and James Bay Coast living with some form of diabetes. Helping people in Northeastern Ontario avoid and manage their diabetes is the work of the North East LHIN’s six new adult diabetes teams.

Last July, the teams were expanded to include a registered nurse and registered dietician:

Sudbury Diabetes Education and Care Program, offering services to Timmins, Elliot Lake, Chapleau, via OTN
Moose Factory Patient Care and Diabetes Health Program offering services to the communities of James Bay Coast including Moosonee, Moose Factory, Fort Albany, Kashechawan, Attawapiskate, Peawunuk and Newpost.
Little Current Noojmowin Teg Health Centre
Timmins Misiway Milopemahtesewin Community Health Centre
Cutler N’Mninoeyaa: Community Health Access Centre
Sudbury Shkagamik-Kwe Health Centre

The teams, based out of North East Ontario, promote healthy eating, informing clients about the importance of cutting out sugar beverages, eating whole grains and avoiding refined starches—as well as the need for exercise and proper foot care. Making lifestyle changes is never easy, but the alternatives such as stroke, amputation, and loss of vision, provide the right incentive to jolt people into making the transition to a healthier lifestyle.

When diabetes and its related complications such as heart disease and stroke are managed, it can mean less time spent in a hospital. “A big part of ensuring people receive the right diabetes care is making sure they are informed about the services available to them,” says Louise Paquette, North East LHIN CEO.

November is Diabetes awareness month, a time when we should all be thinking about this disease and the negative health care implications it has on our community. At the North East LHIN, diabetes is one of the chronic diseases that has been the focus of funding and new programming. Through engagement with members of its regional Diabetes Management Committee, the North East LHIN helps to ensure local programs and services are in place for people living with diabetes. This committee guides the LHIN towards implementing the Ontario Diabetes Strategy - which focuses on increasing care closer to home, preventative educational campaigns, developing an online diabetes registry, improving access to insulin pumps and supplies for adults, and more.

Get informed! For more information visit the diabetes page of www.nelhin.on.ca or www.diabetes.ca to learn more about diabetes care within your community.

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