OTTAWA, ON – On behalf of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification today announced funding for the Regina and District Food Bank and the Canadian Diabetes Association under the Canadian Diabetes Strategy.

This funding will enable the Regina and District Food Bank to implement the Regina Food Bank Diabetes Strategy and the Canadian Diabetes Association to perform the Urban Low Income Diabetes Risk Assessment.

“Diabetes is on the rise in Canada and worldwide,” said Minister Aglukkaq. “The Government of Canada partners with key organizations to help to prevent type 2 diabetes, and to improve the lives of those who have or who may develop all forms of diabetes.”

“The work being undertaken by the Regina and District Food Bank and the Canadian Diabetes Association will greatly benefit our community, and will improve the lives of those with diabetes in this region,” said Minister Yelich.  “These are just two of the many projects being funded under the Canadian Diabetes Strategy that will make a positive impact.

Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in Canada and affects approximately two million Canadians. Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90 to 95 percent of diabetes cases in Canada. It can often be prevented or delayed with regular physical activity, healthy eating and by maintaining a healthy weight. If not managed properly, diabetes can lead to serious complications like heart disease and stroke, blindness, chronic kidney disease, nervous system damage, and amputation. 

The Regina Food Bank Diabetes Strategy and the Urban Low Income Diabetes Risk Assessment are part of the $6 million in funding for diabetes projects across Canada announced by Minister Aglukkaq on November 1st, 2011.  Current projects funded under the Canadian Diabetes Strategy address screening, early detection and management of diabetes, as well as the prevention of secondary complications from the disease, including hypertension, heart disease, and stroke.

The Public Health Agency of Canada is committed to promoting and protecting the health of Canadians.  For more information on diabetes or healthy living, please visit www.publichealth.gc.ca.