For 2017, the Grenada Diabetes Association (GDA) with its branches have planned several activities throughout the tri-island state. For Grenada, the goal is to raise awareness of this disease and provide support to those impacted by it.
Activities organised by GDA for the month of November include: church services; health screenings; nutrition and diabetes management educational talks; distribution of educational materials (with the assistance of the Ministry of Education) throughout the school systems, appropriate for teachers to have a better understanding of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes; social media campaign strategies; and encouraging the public to wear blue every Friday during the month to help raise awareness.
The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) produces a theme for each year’s celebration. The theme for 2017 is, Women and Diabetes – Our Right to A Healthy Future. Three key messages about diabetes as it relates to women are highlighted in this year’s campaign:
All women with diabetes require affordable and equitable access to care and education, to better manage their diabetes and improve health outcomes. Pregnant women require improved access to screening, care and education to achieve positive health outcomes for mother and child.
Women and girls are key agents in the adoption of healthy lifestyles to improve the health and well-being of future generations.
According to IDF:
- There are currently over 199 million women living with diabetes. This total is projected to increase to 313 million by 2040.
- Diabetes is the 9th leading cause of death in women globally, causing 2.1 million deaths per year.
In Grenada, 10% of the adult population is living with diabetes, some of whom have complications including kidney disease, eyes complications, strokes, heart disease, nerve damage, foot problems including amputations, impotence, skin conditions, depression and pregnancy-related conditions.
Up to 70% of cases of Type 2 diabetes could be prevented through the adoption of a healthy lifestyle. By focusing on women and empowering them to adopt healthy lifestyles, it is hoped that their influence in the home and community would have a positive impact on the lives of their children, husbands and significant others. So, even while empowering our women, our concerns are still very much with our men and children.
One important goal of GDA’s Executive is to increase activism within its respective Branches. Each parish has a team of persons who organise monthly meetings and outreach efforts. If you would like to become active within the GDA’s Branch in your parish or learn more about GDA’s efforts, call 440-0888 or Follow GDA’s Facebook page.
Grenada Diabetes Association
