Chronic disease web portal launched

The provincial government has set up a web portal to help New Brunswickers improve how they self-manage chronic diseases such as diabetes.

Health Minister Madeleine Dubé announced today the creation of the New Brunswick Chronic Disease Self Management Portal.

"This portal, which will eventually be expanded to include other chronic diseases, will provide New Brunswickers living with Type 2 diabetes with tools and tips to manage their disease better," said Dubé. "Self-management is the foundation for optimal diabetes management, and we need to ensure that New Brunswickers have access to information and tools that help them take care of themselves."

Users of the portal will create an account with a username and password. They will then be able to input their health information such as blood sugar and blood pressure numbers as well as weight and body mass index, which will enable them to monitor their health.

The portal also offers tips and tools related to:

● healthy eating;

● physical activity;

● vision care;

● foot care;

● blood sugar testing; and

● where to find diabetes services in the community.

"More and more New Brunswickers living with diabetes want web-based tools to manage their disease and access information on the Internet in addition to visiting a diabetes education centre," said Dubé. "This portal will be a reliable and consistent source for bilingual educational tools and will lead to better-informed patients able to partner more effectively with their health-care providers in the management of their disease."

This initiative supports the provincial government's diabetes strategy, announced in June. One of its key initiatives is the development of tools that support and improve services to persons living with diabetes.

LINK:

● Department of Health: www.gnb.ca/health