News Release
For Immediate Release
November 14, 2011
Fact Sheet: The Canadian Diabetes Risk Questionnaire: CANRISK
(TORONTO) – The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, today launched the Canadian Diabetes Risk Questionnaire, known as CANRISK, to inform Canadians about their risks of developing type 2 diabetes and to encourage them to make healthy lifestyle decisions to prevent it.
"Type 2 diabetes and its complications are a growing health concern. For many people however, the disease can be managed and even prevented through lifestyle changes," said Minister Aglukkaq. "CANRISK is a simple tool to help Canadians understand if they are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes so they can make lifestyle changes before it’s too late."
In order to increase awareness of diabetes prevention, the Public Health Agency of Canada is collaborating with Shoppers Drug Mart to distribute CANRISK.
"Shoppers Drug Mart is committed to helping Canadians improve their health and by putting CANRISK into the hands of our customers and patients, we are encouraging people who may be at risk to take personal action to prevent diabetes for themselves and their families," said Dr. Dorian Lo, Executive Vice President, Pharmacy and Healthcare, Shoppers Drug Mart. "We are proud to be working together with the Public Health Agency of Canada to advance the prevention of chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes."
"Education and awareness are cornerstones of preventive medicine," said Dr. Sandy Buchman, President, College of Family Physicians of Canada. "Tools like CANRISK can play an important role in supporting the dialogue between people and their health care practitioners about disease prevention."
"Partnerships between governments, the private sector, and organizations like the Canadian Diabetes Associations are key in the fight against diabetes," said Michael Cloutier, President and CEO of the Canadian Diabetes Association. "Efforts to increase screening and detection of diabetes are beneficial for all."
Approximately 2 million Canadians have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and many more are unaware that they have the disease. Complications from diabetes are common and can include blindness, kidney disease and heart disease.
By using innovative ways to disseminate risk awareness tools like CANRISK, the Government of Canada is helping to ensure that the Canadian public has the information they need to make healthy lifestyle choices. Currently, the CANRISK Questionnaire can be obtained at any Shoppers Drug Mart or Pharmaprix location, or accessed online at www.shoppersdrugmart.ca , www.pharmaprix.ca , or at www.publichealth.gc.ca/CANRISK.
For more information, please contact:
Health Canada
Cailin Rodgers
Office of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq
Federal Minister of Health
(613) 957-0200
Media Relations
Public Health Agency of Canada
(613) 941-8189
