Laura Syron
President & CEO, Diabetes Canada
Canada is moving forward with a national plan of action to support people affected by diabetes.
For the past five years, Diabetes Canada, in collaboration with more than 100 stakeholders across the country, has been leading the charge for a diabetes strategy and framework to address the diabetes epidemic, impacting one in three Canadians and costing the health-care system almost $50 million daily in treatment.
“As one of the only countries with a comprehensive health-care system without a diabetes framework, it’s so exciting to get to this point where diabetes is finally in the spotlight,” says Laura Syron, President and CEO of Diabetes Canada. “We’re on the precipice of a great opportunity here, and in the coming weeks, months, and years we’re going to ensure that we don’t lose momentum around this major milestone in diabetes by collaborating with health-care partners, governments, and people affected by diabetes.”
Commitment to this framework will help alleviate the burden on individuals and our already overburdened health-care system.
Diabetes Canada calls on all levels of government to invest in and support the successful implementation of the framework. Federally, the organization is asking for concrete and measurable initiatives in budget 2023, including:
- Access to resources to ensure those at risk or living with diabetes have access to the right supports, medications, and devices.
- Measurable progress through the creation of a convening and co-ordinating body to drive and ensure accountability so effective actions are taken, progress is tracked, and best practices are used.
- Comprehensive data with the reporting and sharing of information to create better outcomes for people living with diabetes or prediabetes.
- Inclusive education to improve public understanding of diabetes, with inclusive tools that reduce stigma and inequities.
- More research into type 1 and type 2 diabetes to help renew innovation.
While this framework aims to address diabetes and its complications across the country, Syron says its implementation will inevitably differ between various provinces and territories, depending on regional circumstances.
As someone living with type 1 diabetes, Stacey Livitski from Thunder Bay, Ont., says she’s very thankful that there’s finally a comprehensive plan in place to address the growing impact of the diabetes crisis across Canada. “I’m hopeful that, as a result, people like me will be able to see and benefit from long overdue changes that will provide us with more measurable and positive outcomes. Commitment to this framework will help alleviate the burden on individuals and our already overburdened health-care system,” she says. “I urge the government to invest in the framework and implement these strategies as soon as possible.”
The Framework for Diabetes in Canada was tabled in Parliament in October 2022 by the Hon. Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Health of Canada.
