Diabetes Canada is extremely pleased to see the commitment in Budget 2021 to implement a diabetes framework in Canada. Specifically, $35M over five years is allocated for diabetes research, surveillance, prevention, innovation and the development of a comprehensive diabetes framework.
Over the past several years, Diabetes Canada and diabetes advocates have been urging the government to commit to supporting a nation-wide diabetes strategy for Canada - Diabetes 360°. The Budget 2021 announcement comes at a pivotal time in diabetes history as 2021 marks the 100th anniversary of the discovery of insulin. Insulin revolutionized the management of diabetes and saved millions of lives around the world. Yet a century later, the problem of diabetes is bigger than ever.
“We applaud the government’s bold step forward in establishing a diabetes framework and creating a better future for the nearly 11.5 million Canadians across the country who are living with diabetes or prediabetes,” says Laura Syron, President and CEO for Diabetes Canada. “We are confident an inclusive, holistic and equitable approach to addressing diabetes will chart a path that will ensure Canada does not find itself in a worse position in another hundred years.”
Today, one in three Canadians has diabetes or prediabetes, and young people face a greater than 50 per cent chance of developing diabetes in their lifetime. A diabetes framework in Canada will help prevent millions of cases of diabetes, reduce hospitalizations and improve patient outcomes.
Diabetes Canada expresses sincere gratitude to the government, all parliamentarians, and to all those who were involved in the movement to help end diabetes by advocating for a diabetes framework in Canada. Diabetes Canada looks forward to the opportunity to work alongside the governments to help facilitate its implementation and this important step forward in the path towards a world free from the effects of diabetes.