Diabetes NZ welcomes new diabetes strategy

Diabetes NZ welcomes new diabetes strategy

Diabetes New Zealand welcomes the launch of a dedicated national diabetes plan to address one of New Zealand’s most serious health issues. Over a quarter of a million people have diabetes and this number is steadily rising, with 50 more being diagnosed every day.

“The plan sends a loud clarion call to DHBs to give diabetes the top priority that it needs in order to reduce the impact of diabetes in our communities,” Diabetes NZ President Chris Baty said today.

“Anyone can get diabetes but sadly those of Māori, Pacific Island and Indo-Asian descent are at higher risk. And worse they tend to get it younger and are more likely to become disabled and die of it. Giving people the knowledge to live well with diabetes is essential in tackling the national diabetes epidemic. People don’t know enough to understand that there is lots they can do to prevent getting type 2 diabetes, and those who have it don’t know enough to understand they can be well with it and do not need to develop the devastating complications of the disease.”

Chris Baty said that Diabetes NZ applauds the plan’s title, ‘Living Well With Diabetes’, and that the plan was developed with considerable input from people who have diabetes and the health workforce who care for them.

“The lifestyle changes needed to manage diabetes are hard things to do and they need to be done every day for a lifetime. Giving people the information and support they need to prevent, delay or manage their diabetes is at the core of Diabetes NZ’s work. We look forward to continuing to play a key role in the collective drive to harness our national diabetes crisis,” Chris Baty said.

ENDS

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