Figures from a new study released reveal the startling penetration of diabetes into Connacht, with 39 per cent of people reporting a family member with the condition. One in five Connacht people have a family member with type 2 diabetes and overall, three in four people in the region know someone who has diabetes.
“We have been saying it for years, but these figures really bring the message home — diabetes is everywhere in Ireland. It’s in urban and rural communities, in rich areas and less well off areas. We’re facing a national crisis,” said Professor Seamus Sreenan, consultant endocrinologist and medical director of Diabetes Federation of Ireland.
The figures were released to coincide with a new Know Your Numbers! campaign, which promotes awareness of an important change to the HbA1c clinical measurement for diabetes that will come into effect on January 1 2012.
The campaign is a joint initiative between the Diabetes Federation of Ireland, healthcare company Sanofi, the Health Service Executive, and the Irish Pharmacy Union. Next year HbA1c, which measures how well your diabetes has been controlled in the previous two to three months, will see its mode of expression come in line with the standard measurement used worldwide.
Medical research shows that a patient who keeps good control — keeps their HbA1c — at an optimum level, significantly reduces their chances of developing diabetes complications.
For more information about diabetes please visit www.diabetes.ie
