The Shkagamik-Kwe Health Centre has received $91,521 in provincial funding for diabetes prevention.

The funding, part of an effort to prevent diabetes among First Nations people, will focus on addressing modifiable risk factors such as physical inactivity and unhealthy eating through community-based health promotion strategies.

The rate of diabetes is significantly higher among Aboriginal people.

“Through this investment, patients will have greater access to information promoting healthy habits and behaviours which support positive lifestyle changes and lead to healthy lives,” said Sudbury MPP Rick Bartolucci in a press release.

“It will also help to ensure First Nations people have the health-care supports they need to prevent chronic disease such as type-2 diabetes.”

The Shkagamik-Kwe Health Centre provides quality health care to Aboriginal, Métis and Inuit people in Greater Sudbury, as well as to people and families from the partner First Nations of Wahnapitae, Henvey Inlet and Magnetawan.

“Today’s funding will help to ensure the proper resources are in place to provide disease prevention programs and services that meet the needs of the growing urban Aboriginal population and contribute to their overall well-being,” Bartolucci said.