The 14th of November 2019 is World Diabetes Day and South Africans are invited to get tested for free, this is all you need to know…
South Africa – Diabetes is the illness that currently kills more people in South Africa than TB, HIV and malaria combined and is the leading cause of death amongst women in the country.
3 in 5 people with diabetes in South Africa are undiagnosed. A national campaign has been launched to get South Africans to “know your diabetes number”.
This is everything you need to know about your risk factors and how to get yourself tested for free!
Could you have diabetes?
Risk factors:
- Overweight or obese (BMI over 25), especially excess fat around your ‘tummy’ plus one or more of these factors:
- Family history of diabetes
- High-risk race (Asian Indian, Coloured)
- Unhealthy lifestyle
- Physical inactivity
- High blood pressure (over 140/90 mmHg) or cholesterol problems
- Cardiovascular (heart) disease history
- Diabetes during pregnancy or a baby over 4kg
Note: All adults over 45 years old should have an annual diabetes screening.
If you’re at risk, get screened this National Diabetes Month and you can start taking steps to a healthy future. Free screening is available at all public clinics and participating pharmacies across South Africa (call your local pharmacy to see if they have any deals or free treatments available).
Did you know? Diabetes is a leading cause of heart attacks, stroke, eye disease (blindness), kidney failure and lower-limb amputations.
A healthy future
There is a diabetes epidemic in South Africa, but together we can turn it around.
The first step is knowing your diabetes number: screening takes a few minutes and will tell you if you’re at risk of developing diabetes.
If you’re at risk, what should you do?
- Get screened
- Make healthy food choices
- Get active
- Take your medication exactly as prescribed
Together, we can work towards a healthy future for you – and your family. #KnowYourDiabetesNumber #DiabetesMonthSA
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