HSA offers free screening for World Diabetes Day
Cayman Islands Hospital
(CNS): The Cayman Islands Health Services Authority (HSA) is offering free health checks today (Friday, 13 November) as part of recognising World Diabetes Day, the primary global awareness campaign for this disease, which is celebrated every year on 14 November.
This year’s theme, “Healthy Living Starts at Breakfast”, focuses on diabetes education and prevention, so all people in the community are being urged to check and monitor their weight, BMI, blood glucose, cholesterol and blood pressure levels.
From 9am to 12pm today, the HSA will be offering these checks for free at the Cayman Islands Hospital atrium in the hopes of raising awareness for diabetes prevention throughout the community. In observance of the theme, all screening participants will receive a light, healthy breakfast, partially sponsored by Foster’s Food Fair.
“It is hoped that campaigns such as World Diabetes Day will continue to raise the profile of diabetes and move those with or without diabetes in the Cayman Islands from awareness to action,” said Tamara Riley, HSA community dietitian. “Optimal management, education and prevention are key components of diabetes care, and campaigns like these are vital for disease prevention.”
The HSA is also encouraging everyone to wear blue, explained HSA community dietitian Simone Sheehan, as this “is an initiative set up by the International Diabetes Federation to bring attention to World Diabetes Day, and to advocate and bring awareness for diabetes and the people living with it. This year, we want to rally the community by asking people to wear blue this Friday.”
Worldwide, 350 million people are at high risk of developing diabetes and it is predicted that by 2035, close to half a billion people will be living with the disease. The HSA advises that people can prevent or delay the onset of diabetes by following these simple lifestyle measures: maintaining a healthy weight; doing at least 30 minutes of physical activity five days a week; and consuming a healthy diet by reducing the intake of sugar and fats, and increasing fibre.
Category: Medical and Health
