Global diabetes experts emphasize self-management to prevent fatal health complications

80 per cent of Canadians with diabetes die from a heart attack or a stroke

VANCOUVER, Oct. 12, 2012 /CNW/ - The growing prevalence of diabetes in Canada has both a tremendous personal and societal impact. Currently, one in four Canadians are living with diabetes or prediabetes and this will rise to one in three Canadians by the end of this decade.

From an economic perspective, diabetes costs the Canadian health care system and economy nearly 12 billion dollars annually. It is expected the cost of diabetes will have increased by over 130% from 2000 to 2020. However, it is not the treatment of diabetes itself that is driving these costs, it is the cost to treat preventable diabetes-related complications:

• 80 per cent of Canadians with diabetes die from a heart attack or a stroke.
• Over 40 per cent of new kidney dialysis patients have diabetes.
• Diabetes is the single leading cause of blindness in Canada.
• 25 per cent of people with diabetes suffer from depression due to the burden of coping with the disease, as well as discrimination and stigma that often accompanies diabetes.
• 70 per cent of non-traumatic limb amputations are caused by diabetes complications.

The good news is that, unlike many other chronic diseases, diabetes can be managed effectively allowing people with diabetes to live long and healthy lives. By helping to educate people living with diabetes to self- manage their disease, complications such as heart attacks can be reduced by up to 60 per cent.

Top healthcare experts from around the world have been working together this week in Vancouver at the Vancouver Convention Centre for the 15^th Annual Conference of the Canadian Diabetes Association/Canadian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism. Concluding tomorrow, the conference has attracted over 2,500 delegates worldwide who are working to improve the lives of the millions of people living with diabetes by finding a cure for this health epidemic.

Speaking on the final morning of the conference, Canadian country music artist George Canyon will share his personal battle with diabetes during the Isabel Lockerbie Address.

Media attendance and interviews
Media wishing to attend the final sessions can register in advance to ensure quicker access to the conference. In addition, a conference syllabus is available on request and interviews with event speakers or people living with diabetes can be coordinated through Chris Olsen at [email protected].

Access news releases and real time updates from our Social Media Newsroom at www.pitchengine.com/cda. Follow the conference at #CDA12

A Look Ahead - Conference Highlights

Location: Vancouver Convention Centre, West Building

Saturday, October 13

9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.	#37	Isabel Lockerbie Address Presenter: Country star George Canyon
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.	#38	General Practitioner Symposium including: Obesity: The Diseasethat Begins it All Presenter: Dr. Alissa Zentner, FRCPC, Vancouver, B.C.
10:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m.	#42	Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose: Monitoring with Meaning Presenters include: Dr. David Miller, FRCPC, Cert Endo, Cert Epi, Victoria, B.C. Lori Berard, RN CDE, Winnipeg, Man.
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.	#46	2013 Clinical Practice Guidelines Presenter: Dr. Alice Cheng, Mississauga,Ont.

About the Canadian Diabetes Association

The Canadian Diabetes Association is a registered charitable organization, leading the fight against diabetes by helping people with diabetes live healthy lives while we work to find a cure. Our professional staff and more than 20,000 volunteers provide education and services to help people in their daily fight against the disease, advocate on behalf of people with diabetes for the opportunity to achieve their highest quality of life, and break ground towards a cure. Please visit diabetes.ca, join us on facebook.com/CanadianDiabetesAssociation, follow us on Twitter @DiabetesAssoc, or call 1-800-BANTING (226-8464).

SOURCE: Canadian Diabetes Association

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