DIABETES, the seventh killer disease in Singapore, accounted for 3.3 per cent of all deaths here in 2006. Worldwide, it affects more than 180 million.

Occurring mainly in older adults and linked to obesity, Type 2 diabetes is the more common form, and it can lead to severe consequences - blindness, lower limb amputations, heart attacks, strokes and kidney failure - when poorly controlled.

According to the World Health Organisation, the number of people suffering from diabetes is likely to more than double by 2030.

A National Health Survey carried out in 2004 showed that diabetes prevalence rises sharply with age, accounting for 7.9 per cent of those in the 40 to 49 age group, 16.7 per cent for those aged 50-59, and 28.7 per cent for the 60-69 group.

To raise awareness that diabetes is a serious disease with severe health complications and of the importance of screening, the Health Promotion Board will run a campaign with the theme Diabetes Be a-Ware from June to November.

For adults who are at risk, the campaign will encourage early detection through regular screening and optimal management of the disease through maintaining a healthy weight, regular check-ups, blood glucose monitoring and complying with a care plan.

Senior Parliamentary Secretary (Health and Manpower) Hawazi Diapi will kick off the campaign at the Tropics Atrium, Suntec City Mall, on the evening of June 7.

An interactive event will be held at five different locations in June and July to engage the public and underscore the key health messages about diabetes: that it is a 'silent killer' that can lead to complications, with obesity being a major risk factor.

The exhibits will also emphasise that diabetes is manageable and if treated early, can lead to better health outcomes.

HPB said the promotion of diabetes awareness will also be extended beyond the launch and the roving interactive exhibition through other activities and programmes that will be organised until November.

As part of a holistic approach and to ensure a continuum of care towards the management of not just diabetes but chronic diseases including hypertension and lipid disorders, HPB introduced the Nurse Educator Programme in April to augment HPB's patient education efforts.

Under this programme, patients with a high-risk BMI, diabetes, hypertension or lipid disorders or at high risk of the conditions will be referred to nurse educators who will support the management of the chronic disease patient by providing counselling on self-management skills and advice on nutrition, exercise and target setting.

A new programme, the Integrated Screening Programme (ISP), will be introduced this month. It is a nation-wide screening programme aimed at Singaporeans aged 40 years and above who have not been previously diagnosed with a chronic disease. It will cover BMI screening, diabetes, hypertension, lipid disorders and cervical cancer at the appropriate, recommended intervals.

Under the ISP, eligible Singaporeans will receive a letter from HPB on the importance of appropriate health screening and an invitation to attend a screening of the chronic conditions at a Chronic Disease Management Programme (CDMP)-registered GP clinic near their home.

Through a bulk purchase by HPB, the cost of the laboratory tests is $8 for the blood test to screen for diabetes and lipid disorders, and $10 for a Pap smear to screen for cervical cancer for female patients. So far, 728 GP clinics are participating in the CDMP, according to HPB.