KINGSTON, Jamaica. Tuesday, November 14, 2023: The South East Regional Health Authority joins the rest of the international community to observe World Diabetes Day,
which is observed each year on November 14, 2023.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 422 million people globally have diabetes, the majority being from low and middle-income countries such as Jamaica, while 1.6 million deaths are directly attributed to the disease. Diabetes is a chronic health condition that occurs when the body cannot effectively regulate blood sugar levels. There are two main types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. Type 2 diabetes develops when the body becomes resistant to the effects of insulin or when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin. This is often associated with lifestyle factors such as obesity, a poor diet, and a lack of physical activity.
Therefore, members of the public are being urged to engage in healthy behaviours to reduce the incidence of diabetes including:
Visit a doctor or your nearest health centre and get tested to know your risk.
Reduce your intake of sugary/sweetened beverages.
Increase physical activity-30 minutes of exercise are recommended daily.
Drink plenty of water.
Eat more vegetables and fruits.
Avoid stressful situations.
Quit smoking.
People living with diabetes are encouraged to eat healthier, visit the doctor for regular check-ups, and carry out the treatment plan as prescribed by their doctor.
The health departments continue to take steps to reduce the effects of diabetes and its debilitating complications on the lives of individuals and their families. Efforts have been focused on educating the public about measures to help prevent the onset of the disease as well as to screen for and manage it.
World Diabetes Day is observed this year under the theme ‘Access to Diabetes Care’.
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