KINGSTON, Jamaica – The South East Regional Health Authority has joined in the observation of World Diabetes Day on Tuesday.

World Diabetes Day 2023 is being observed under the theme ‘Access to Diabetes Care’.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 422 million people globally have diabetes, the majority being from low and middle-income countries such as Jamaica, while 1.6 million deaths are directly attributed to the disease. Diabetes is a chronic health condition that occurs when the body cannot effectively regulate blood sugar levels.

There are two main types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. Type 2 diabetes develops when the body becomes resistant to the effects of insulin or when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin. This is often associated with lifestyle factors such as obesity, a poor diet, and a lack of physical activity.

Members of the public are therefore being urged to engage in healthy behaviours to reduce the incidence of diabetes including:

· visiting a doctor or one’s nearest health centre to get tested to know one’s risk

· reducing one’s intake of sugary/sweetened beverages

· increasing physical activity-30 minutes of exercise are recommended daily

· drinking plenty of water

· eating more vegetables and fruits

· avoiding stressful situations

· quitting smoking.

People living with diabetes are encouraged to eat healthier, visit the doctor for regular check-ups, and carry out the treatment plan as prescribed by their doctor.

The country’s health departments continue to take steps to reduce the effects of diabetes and its debilitating complications on the lives of individuals and their families. Efforts have been focused on educating the public about measures to help prevent the onset of the disease as well as to screen for and manage it.