Are you in a high-risk group?

Aboriginal people
The risk of diabetes is about three times higher among Manitoba’s First Nations population than in the general Manitoban population. (Diabetes Trends and Gender Differences: A Summary of Diabetes Surveillance in Manitoba 1989-2006)

Hispanic, South Asian, Asian or African
Diabetes is also much more common among people of Hispanic, South Asian, Asian and African descent.

Seniors
Most people who have diabetes are in the older age groups: almost half (45 per cent) of persons with type 2 diabetes are age 65 and older (Manitoba Health and Healthy Living and National Diabetes Surveillance System Data).

In 2006, the proportion of people with diabetes was highest for Manitobans ages 70 to 84 years: 20 per cent for women and 24 per cent for men. (Diabetes Trends and Gender Differences: A Summary of Diabetes Surveillance in Manitoba 1989-2006)

Women who had diabetes during pregnancy
Some pregnant women develop gestational diabetes, a type of diabetes that begins or is first recognized during pregnancy. Blood sugar levels often return to normal after delivery of the baby, but both the mother and baby are at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future.

If you’re in a high-risk group, take this two-minute test to see if you’re at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

And check out some ways you can be healthier and stay diabetes-free.