According to the Canadian Diabetes Association, diabetes is considered an epidemic, and is on the rise. This due to a number of factors including rising obesity rates and sedentary lifestyles.
What is Diabetes?
Insulin is a hormone that helps the body use blood sugar for energy. Diabetes occurs when blood sugar rises above normal levels because the pancreas is either unable to produce insulin, or the body is unable to effectively use the insulin the pancreas manufactures.
There are three main types of diabetes:
Type 1
- Represents approximately 20% of people who have diabetes
- Occurs when the pancreas is unable to produce insulin
- Usually occurs in children and adolescents.
Type 2
- Represents approximately 80% of people who have diabetes
- Occurs mostly in adults, although an increasing number of children are at risk because they are overweight
- Develops when the body is unable to utilize the insulin the pancreas produces
- Eighty percent (80%) of people with Type 2 diabetes are overweight at time of diagnosis.
Gestational Diabetes
- Occurs during pregnancy and is typically a temporary condition.
If untreated or not managed effectively, diabetes can lead to a number of complications including eye, heart and kidney disease as well as nerve damage. Diabetes and its complications are reported to cost the Canadian healthcare system billions a year.
Type 2 diabetes may be prevented or delayed through weight loss, healthy eating and increased exercise. Stress may have a negative impact on blood sugar control and people with diabetes as well as healthcare professionals are advised to monitor its effect.
Diabetes And The Workplace Programs
A number of programs and tools are available to organizations interested in diabetes control and prevention strategies:
- The Diabetes Canada and Health Canada are encouraging employers to increase their understanding of diabetes and health-promotion principles through the Healthy Workplace Initiative. Although the resources and tools featured on this site are designed for Diabetes Canada employees to facilitate the delivery of the Healthy Workplace Initiative, they provide useful insight for businesses interested in the ‘how to’ of diabetes prevention in the workplace.
- The National Diabetes Program, National Institutes of Health offers many resources and tools to the business community. In particular, a report entitled ‘Making a Difference: The Business Community Takes On Diabetes’ is available in PDF format on this site. This report provides useful information on the human and economic impact of diabetes and gives suggestions on how businesses can help employees with diabetes achieve optimal control of their blood sugar.
- Diabetes.ca has an online diabetes and health resource kit that assists businesses in assessing the impact of diabetes in the workplace. It also provides tools for employers to assist their employees manage their diabetes and take steps toward reducing complications.
Workplace wellness programs that deal with stress, nutrition and fitness can help individuals prevent the on-set of the illness or help those with diabetes control its impact.
If you have some strategies to share – comment on this posting!
Additional Postings:
Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness
Critical Illness – Roll of the Dice
National Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Week
Sleep Apnea – Snoring, Choking, And Gasping Are Not Normal
Road Map To Disability Management
Lessening The Anguish of Depression Through Supportive Workplace Conversations