Mr. Speaker, today I am pleased to recognize a delegation representing the Canadian Diabetes Association, which is on Parliament Hill. It is here to mark November as Diabetes Awareness Month.
More than nine million Canadians live with diabetes or pre-diabetes. That is one in every four Canadians.
Diabetes will cost Canada's economy and health care system an estimated $14 billion, rising to $16 billion by 2020.
The impact of untreated or improperly managed diabetes is astounding. It causes 30% of stokes, 40% of heart attacks, 50% of kidney failure requiring dialysis, 70% of all non-traumatic amputations, and it is the major cause of blindness and eye disease.
However, there is good news. Diabetes can be prevented. With proper diabetes management, people living with it can lead healthy lives.
The CDA invites all Canadians to take the diabetes Canrisk test, which through a few questions can help them find out if they are at greater risk of having pre-diabetes or type 2 diabetes.