February 12, 2019
Diabetes Canada released new 2019 figures that paint a grim picture of an epidemic affecting more people than ever across the country. Diabetes Canada has been calling on governments to support Diabetes 360°, a national strategy and evidence-based action plan to prevent and manage a disease that is rising at unprecedented rates.
Canada continues to be without a nation-wide strategy to address the diabetes crisis. “The longer we delay coordinated efforts with targeted outcomes, the more diabetes prevalence will increase and the more Canadians will experience its tragic complications,” says Dr. Jan Hux, President and CEO of Diabetes Canada.
Eleven million Canadians live with diabetes or prediabetes in 2019 and the costs of treating the disease have soared from $14 billion in 2008 to just under $30 billion this year. “The high prevalence of diabetes and its overwhelming impact on our health-care system mean that we must take urgent action,” says Dr. Hux. Diabetes Canada is calling for an investment of $150 million over seven years, which can save the health-care system more than $9 billion while preventing the development of nearly one million type 2 diabetes cases.
Diabetes is known to reduce lifespan and people with the disease are more likely to experience vision loss. They are also more likely to be hospitalized for amputations, kidney failure, heart attacks, strokes and heart failure.
We urge the government to adopt Diabetes 360°. In so doing, Canada can be a world leader in the fight against diabetes,” says Dr. Hux.
| 2019 | BC | AB | SK | MB | ON | NB | NS | PE | NL | CAN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prevalence: diabetes + prediabetes | 1,527,000 | 1,136,000 | 314,000 | 386,000 | 4,424,000 | 258,000 | 322,000 | 47,000 | 182,000 | 10,991,000 |
Source: Diabetes Cost Model
About Diabetes Canada
Diabetes Canada is the registered national charitable organization that is making the invisible epidemic of diabetes visible and urgent. Diabetes Canada partners with Canadians to End Diabetes through:
- Resources for health-care professionals on best practices to care for people with diabetes;
- Advocacy to governments, schools and workplaces; and
- Funding world-leading Canadian research to improve treatments and find a cure.
For more information, visit diabetes.ca or call 1-800-BANTING (226-8464).
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For more information or to book an interview:
Sherry Calder
Senior Manager, Marketing & Communications
Diabetes Canada
T: 902-453-3529
C: 902-210-1799
sherry.calder@diabetes.ca
Author: Sherry Calder
Region: National