SASKATOON GROUPS WORK TOGETHER TO FIGHT DIABETES

Released on February 11, 2000

A number of Saskatoon community groups and agencies have joined forces to fight

diabetes among residents in the north-central area of the city.



The three-year project, Pathways to Well-Being, will increase the number of

Good Food Boxes (low-cost boxes of healthy food) delivered to aboriginal

families and adapt KidsCAN, an existing nutrition education program, to better

meet the needs of aboriginal children.



The Saskatoon Health District, together with the Saskatoon Tribal Council, the

Central Urban Metis Federation, the Saskatoon Indian and Metis Friendship

Centre, the Canadian Diabetes Association and the Child Hunger and Education

program are leading the project.



"Diabetes is a serious problem in our province, especially in First Nations

communities," says Associate Minister of Health Judy Junor. "We want to support

community-based initiatives that contribute to healthier people."



Saskatchewan Health is providing $69,205 over three years for the project, part

of an overall commitment of $730,000 to several demonstration projects across

the province. The community-based initiatives will model health promotion

approaches and illustrate how communities can work together to address diabetes

and other health challenges.



"Our organization fully supports this initiative," says Christine Smillie,

Executive Director of the Canadian Diabetes Association, Saskatchewan

Division. "Effective community-based strategies are needed to prevent further

epidemic growth of diabetes, especially in high risk populations like seniors

and First Nations people."



There are more than 45,000 people with diabetes in Saskatchewan and more than

3,000 new cases each year. It has serious long-term complications, including

kidney failure, hardening of the arteries, heart disease, stroke and

blindness. Since diabetes is associated with a lack of physical activity,

unhealthy body weight and poor nutrition, a significant proportion of the

disease is thought to be preventable.



Diabetes prevention is consistent with a broader population health promotion

approach, which acknowledges that many of the factors that determine health lie

outside the control of the traditional health sector. These factors include

the environment, family and social supports and individual behaviours.



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For more information, contact:



Jeff Brown Joanne Franko

Communications Branch Manager, Research Services

Saskatchewan Health, Regina Saskatoon Health District

Phone: (306) 787-4088 Phone: (306) 655-6796