Diabetes Awareness Week

Diabetes Awareness Week 2012 was on the 13-19 November. During awareness week we raise awareness about diabetes and share information about simple ways to stay healthy.

The theme for Diabetes Awareness Week 2012 was diabetes and pregnancy. Our campaign asked New Zealanders to "Help our smallest Kiwis stay sweet as".

One in 20 women have diabetes during pregnancy. This includes women with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes or who have other issues with blood glucose while pregant (Gestational Diabetes). More information on the different type of diabetes can be found here.

Diabetes during pregnancy can be very dangerous - if not well managed, it can put both the health of the Mother and her baby at risk.

The good news is that most women with diabetes during pregnancy can have a healthy pregnancy by working with their health care team to manage their blood sugar levels.

If you are pregnant and worried about diabetes it's very important to talk to your midwife and/or doctor.
If you have diabetes it's very important to talk to your doctor before you plan to get pregnant.

More information on diabetes and pregnancy and staying well can be found on the "Living Well with Diabetes" page.

What did we do for awareness week?

This year we partnered with Pharmacy Brands who helped us to raise awareness by running in store awareness campaigns in their pharmacies across New Zealand. Pharmacy Brands represents over 300 pharmacies including: Amcal, Care Chemist, Life Pharmacy, Radius and Unichem.

Diabetes NZ local Branches ran heaps of interesting events and activities, and GP clinics across the country along with a range of other businesses and organisations helped us to raise awareness by putting up posters and handing out awareness week materials.