Diabetes New Zealand today marks the beginning of Diabetes Action Month by launching a comprehensive online support and self-management toolkit.
Diabetes is the nation’s fastest-growing health crisis. Twelve hundred people in New Zealand, on average, will this month be told that they have diabetes.
More than 260,000 people in New Zealand have diabetes; the prevalence has doubled in the past 10 years.
Diabetes New Zealand surveyed the nation and found that less than half of those living with diabetes felt they are in control of their condition, and a third said it had a negative effect on their mental wellbeing.
Chief executive of Diabetes New Zealand, Steve Crew says, “Living well is something people with diabetes battle to do on their own. A third struggle with eating healthy meals, and almost 40% struggle to be motivated and do physical activity. Diabetes New Zealand wants to change that.”
The Diabetes New Zealand Take Control Toolkit unveiled today will be a range of more than 60 online materials in downloadable print or video formats, that Diabetes New Zealand members anywhere in the country can access, offering them advice and information across three important categories – Food & Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Health & Wellbeing.
Crew says, “Our core focus is on supporting people with diabetes, to help empower them to live well, and encourage them to self-manage their condition. We have seen real change in the trailblazers using the Take Control Toolkit and are confident that we can help people to help themselves, and live well with their diabetes.”