No excuses to step out against diabetes in WA

Health Minister John Day is calling on all West Australians to step up to the challenge and join in the Diabetes Australia Walk to Work Day tomorrow, October 7.
  • West Australians urged to join Diabetes Australia Walk to Work Day
  • Exercise vital to tackle Type 2 diabetes
  • Diabetes affects more than 170,000 people in WA
  • More than $1 billion annual estimated diabetes impact on State's health system

Health Minister John Day is calling on all West Australians to step up to the challenge and join in the Diabetes Australia Walk to Work Day tomorrow, October 7.

"Diabetes already affects more than 170,000 people in Western Australia and statistics show that two dozen are diagnosed each day," Mr Day said.

"This year's Walk to Work Day theme is 'no more excuses, no more previous engagements,' emphasising that regular walking and healthy eating can prevent more than half the cases of the common Type 2 diabetes."

Diabetes Australia estimates the overall cost of Type 2 diabetes to the WA health system is more than $1 billion a year.

"Preventing disease and living healthier lives is better for us, our families and our healthcare providers," the Minister said.

"Walking options can include getting off the bus or train one stop earlier and walking the rest of the way, setting the alarm 30 minutes early to fit in a walk, walking to meetings instead of driving and using stairs instead of a lift or escalator."

Mr Day said the Liberal National Government invested about $4 million annually in the LiveLighter® and Healthier Workplace WA® lifestyle programs, delivered by the Heart Foundation in partnership with the Cancer Council Western Australia.

"Programs such as these are about helping people help themselves, and Walk to Work Day is a great time to start," he said.

"Diabetes shares risk factors with cancer, heart and kidney disease.  Ensuring we incorporate a few simple changes into our daily routines can not only make a big difference to our quality of life, it can help save lives.

"There really are no more excuses not to get involved."

Fact File

Minister's office - 6552 6200