The Windsor-Essex Community Health Centre is encouraging residents at risk of diabetes Type 1 diabetes to get screened for the disease.
The centre is the first in Canada to offer screening outside of a hospital or academic setting.
The test is simple. A finger-prick test can let residents know if they have it, allowing for early monitoring, education, and connection to care before complications start.
"Too often, Type 1 diabetes is diagnosed only after someone becomes seriously ill," said James Stainer, a registered nurse and certified diabetes educator and lead for chronic disease at the centre.
Those who should consider screening are those who have a family history of Type 1 diabetes, or have an autoimmune disease like celiac disease, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, scleroderma, or autoimmune thyroid, adrenal, or dermatological conditions. The centre also encourages screening for those who have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and have an atypical presentation.
The centre has screened 420 people since the program launched last September, and so far has found the disease in nine people before they started to show symptoms. Another 30 people, diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, found out they actually had Type 1.
"By making Type 1 diabetes screening available in our community, we are creating opportunities for earlier awareness, support and better health outcomes," said Executive Director Nancy Brockenshire.
The screening process takes only a few minutes, and results are available within ten days.
