Diabetes Action Month 2023

Running right through November, Diabetes Action Month 2023 has the theme Eyes on Diabetes. Diabetes Action Month is Diabetes

NZ’s annual public health and awareness campaign that aims to encourage all Kiwis to take action for diabetes.

Diabetes is the leading cause of preventable blindness in Aotearoa New Zealand, and everyone living with diabetes is at risk of losing their vision. The good news is there are steps we can take to lower our risk of eye damage, including having regular eye checks. Eye problems cause less damage when detected and treated early.

Diabetes NZ CEO Heather Verry says this Diabetes Action Month is all about educating New Zealanders with diabetes on how to look after their eyes, to prevent losing their sight.

‘Poor vision can have a huge impact on your quality of life, including your physical and mental wellbeing. When you’re living with diabetes, so much of your life relies on your sight. This includes checking your blood glucose levels, changing a pump site, and injecting insulin. So looking after your eyes can not only save your vision but your life,’ says Verry.

This Diabetes Action Month, Diabetes NZ is urging Kiwis to get their eyes checked to avoid preventable blindness.

Throughout November, we will join with our local teams, sponsors, supporters, and eye health experts. We will be educating New Zealanders with diabetes, and their whānau, on the importance of regular eye checks and self-care to reduce the number of people developing diabetes-related eye problems. Of course, we will continue to raise awareness and encourage prevention through healthy lifestyle choices.

There will be a number of Diabetes NZ initiatives taking place during November, including the launch of a new diabetes eye health resource and educational video, Facebook Live sessions, local events, and the return of Sneaker Friday. Check out the Diabetes NZ Facebook page and www. diabetesactionmonth.org.nz for updates.

WHEN WAS YOUR LAST DIABETES EYE CHECK?

We’re calling on New Zealanders who are living with diabetes to get their eyes checked. There may be no symptoms in the early stages of eye problems such as diabetic retinopathy, making it even more important to have regular eye checks so it can be detected and treated early.

Eye tests are free! Your doctor can refer you to your local Diabetes Retinal Screening Programme.

People with type 2 should have their first screening as soon as they are diagnosed, and people with type 1 should have their first screening done five years after diagnosis.

DIABETES EYE HEALTH RESOURCE

This November, Diabetes NZ is launching a new eye health resource for people living with diabetes to better understand eye health.

You will find tips and tricks for looking after your eyes and the symptoms of eye disease to look out for. We hope this resource will help educate people about the impact diabetes can have on your eyesight and reduce rates of preventable blindness. This resource will be available on our website during DAM.

FACEBOOK LIVE

We love running our Facebook Live sessions during Diabetes Action Month and watching people from across the country tune in. This year, we will be hosting two Facebook Lives on how to look after your eyes when you have diabetes.

We will be joined by eye health and diabetes specialists, who will be able to answer your questions and provide top tips for lowering your risk of eye damage. To find out more about these sessions, check out our Facebook page www.facebook.com/diabetesnz

WORLD DIABETES DAY – 14 NOVEMBER

The theme for World Diabetes Day 2023 is Access to Diabetes Care. This World Diabetes Day, the International Diabetes Federation is calling on policymakers to increase access to diabetes education to help improve the lives of the half a billion people with diabetes worldwide. This is particularly important in Aotearoa, where 300,000 people are now living with diabetes. Head to www.worlddiabetesday.org for more information and great resources.

SNEAKER FRIDAY

Sneaker Friday is back on 17 November! This fundraising event is your chance to step up for diabetes by wearing sneakers to work, school, or out and about on Sneaker Friday. To take part, simply donate $5 to Diabetes NZ and wear your sneakers on Sneaker Friday. Diabetes NZ’s mission is to support all New Zealanders to live well with diabetes, but we can’t do this without the help of generous, supportive, and helpful Kiwis like you!

To learn more, visit www.diabetesactionmonth.org.nz.

Ngā mihi nui

We are so grateful to the amazing sponsors who help make Diabetes Action Month happen. Thank you for your support and all you do to help Kiwis live well with diabetes.