Province invests $80,000 for northeast diabetes services

The province has made an investment of $80,840 to improve access to culturally appropriate diabetes services within First Nations communities, announced Sudbury MPP Rick Bartolucci Thursday.

“Diabetes prevention is vital towards building healthy communities,” Bartolucci said in a release. “This investment helps to ensure First Nations people have the health care supports they need to prevent chronic disease such as Type 2 diabetes.”

The province estimates the rate of diabetes is significantly higher among Aboriginal people. The funding will focus on preventing the onset of Type 2 diabetes by addressing the modifiable risk factors such as physical inactivity and unhealthy eating through community-based health promotion strategies.

Health Sciences North will receive $63,240 to implement its PEP Talk program, a peer-led education initiative with participating First Nations communities, focused on proper foot care and preventing foot ulcers among people with diabetes.

The Shkagamik-Kwe Health Centre will receive the remaining $17,600 to continue delivering its diabetes services.

The funding is part of a province-wide investment of $1 million for diabetes prevention.