Diabetes Education & Awareness

The goal of the Aboriginal Diabetes Education Program is to increase  awareness by providing Indigenous women and their families with information, resources and support to control and prevent diabetes within the Indigenous community.

Objectives​

• Increase awareness of diabetes and its effect on Indigenous people and their communities

• Develop and implement education programs for diabetes awareness

• Develop and provide resources in a culturally appropriate manner

• Assist in developing support groups for First Nations people

Services Offered

All activities carried out by the program are grounded in a cultural foundation.The Diabetes Program Coordinator provides services provincially and focuses on prevention and education activities that include:

• Workshops for Indigenous people that focus on the prevention and management of diabetes

• Gestational Diabetes information sharing sessions and presentations for Indigenous women

• Workshops and educational activities about diabetes that are designed specifically for Indigenous women, addressing their unique needs; including topics like healthy eating, self-care practices, cooking, and foot care to prevent and address diabetes in themselves and their families

• Increase knowledge of traditional foods as healthy alternatives

• Information and resources development and distribution, including: nutritional cookbooks, educational brochures, and pamphlets

• Basic Foot Care Information Sessions

Early Diagnosis

Have your health provider perform a diabetes screening test today!Signs that may indicate diabetes:

• Lack of energy

• Unusual and extreme thirst

• Frequent urination, blurred vision or unusual weight loss

• ​​Management of diabetes includes:

• An active lifestyle

• Eating healthy meals

• A positive attitude

• Walking a balanced life

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• Frequent infections

• Cuts and bruises that heal slowly