diabetes in canada: stats, facts and figures

the number of people who suffer from some form of diabetes is expected to rise dramatically over the next 30 years, more than doubling from its current level of around 529 million to 1.3 billion by 2050. this silent epidemic, which currently affects an estimated 6.1 per cent of the global population, is one of the leading causes of death and disability in the world, according to the lancet. by 2050, diabetes is projected to affect one in 10 people worldwide.

the situation is just as grim in canada, where more than 11.7 million people are living with some form of the chronic disease, according diabetes canada. caring for these patients costs the county’s health care system an estimated $50-million every day . despite this, an ipsos public opinion poll found that the majority of canadians underestimate the severity of the disease and the chances that someone over the age of 20 will be diagnosed with it over the course of their life. (for the record, diabetes affects people of all ages — for example, a 20-year-old has a 50 per cent chance of developing the disease at some point in their life.)

what is diabetes?

diabetes is a chronic condition that occurs when there is too much sugar (or glucose) in the blood . typically, the pancreas produces a hormone known as insulin that helps move glucose from the blood into the body’s cells where it is used an energy source. when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or the body is unable to use this insulin properly, glucose builds up in the blood and can lead to serious health issues. there are several forms of diabetes, including:

type 1 diabetes

also known as insulin-dependent diabetes, type 1 diabetes an autoimmune disease that makes up roughly 10 per cent of all cases of diabetes. it usually develops when patients are young and occurs because the body’s immune system begins to attack the pancreas, preventing it from producing insulin. people with type 1 diabetes require insulin injections to regulate the glucose levels in their blood.

type 2 diabetes

type 2 diabetes makes up most of the remaining 90 per cent of cases and occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or the body is unable to use this insulin properly. although this form of the disease, which typically presents in adulthood, can sometimes be managed through lifestyle changes, medication is usually required at some point in a patient’s life.

prediabetes

prediabetes is a condition where blood sugar levels are high but do not reach the level required for a diabetes diagnosis. the condition can (but does not always) lead to type 2 diabetes.

gestational diabetes

gestational diabetes is a form of the disease that occurs in around 20 per cent of pregnant women, gestational diabetes is temporary but can increase the risk of a mother or child developing diabetes at some point in their lives.

symptoms of diabetes

the complications from diabetes are associated with an early death among canadians. in fact, the disease is thought to reduce the lifespan of patients by five to 15 years . people who have been diagnosed with diabetes are three times more likely than the average person to require hospital treatment for cardiovascular disease, 12 times more likely to require treatment for end-stage renal disease and 20 times more likely to be sent to the hospital for non-traumatic lower limb amputation.

the disease is also the leading cause of blindness in canada and is responsible for 30 per cent strokes, 40 per cent of heart attacks and 50 per cent of kidney failures requiring dialysis. diabetes canada recommends that people over the age of 40 get tested for the disease every three years . research has shown that only half of canadians who are this age or older have had their doctor raise the issue with them.

diabetes statistics in canada

it is estimated that nearly 12 million canadians have diabetes (type 1, type 2 or prediabetes combined) although many are unaware of their condition. this number, which represents roughly 29 per cent of the population is expected to rise to 32 per cent by the year 2030. according to the public health agency of canada, the number of new cases of the disease grows by around 200,000 every year . prevalence of diabetes generally increases with age and it is more commonly found in men (8.7 per cent) than women (7.6 per cent). according to the ipsos survey, one in two canadians have a family member who has been diagnosed with the disease .

who faces the most risk of diabetes?

certain groups face a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes than others, including those of african, arab, asian, hispanic, south asian or indigenous descent. diabetes has been found to occur more frequently in south asian (8.1 times more likely) and black (6.6 times more likely) adults than white adults. it is particularly prevalent in first nations communities, occurring at an age-standardized rate of 17.2 per cent among individuals living on reserve and 10.3 per cent among those off-reserve.

geographically, ontario has the most cases of diabetes (type 1, type 2 and prediabetes combined) at an estimated 4,713,000. this is followed by b.c. (1,636,000), alberta (1,242,000), manitoba (412,000), nova scotia (335,000), saskatchewan (334,000), new brunswick (274,000), newfoundland and labrador (190,000), p.e.i. (50,000).

how much does treating diabetes cost canadians?

the cost of treating diabetes in canada has more than doubled since 2008, rising from $14-billion that year to just under $30-billion in 2019 . the cost of treatment isn’t always covered, however, and it is estimated that the majority of canadians who have been diagnosed with the disease pay $1,500 per year on medications, devices and other out-of-pocket supplies.

mental health issues, loneliness a result of diabetes

there is evidence of a bidirectional relationship between diabetes and depression, in that the presence of one may make the other more likely. it has been estimated that around 30 per cent of people living with diabetes have clinically relevant depressive symptoms; this may be related to the stress of managing their condition . conversely, people who have been diagnosed with depression have been found to face a 40 to 60 per cent increased risk of being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

unfortunately, as with many silent diseases, there is a stigma surrounding diabetes that is likely related to the presumption that people with the disease also make unhealthy food and lifestyle choices. research has found that one in three canadians who have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes are not comfortable talking about the disease with others .

other recent research has found that loneliness weighs heavier on people with diabetes than those without and is a bigger risk factor for heart disease in patients than diet, exercise, smoking and depression . the study encourages people with diabetes who have felt lonely throughout the pandemic (and beyond) to seek out new connections with shared interests, perhaps by joining a social group or class.

diabetes can put a strain on relationships because the stress and anxiety that comes with managing the disease combined with the potential for mental health issues may present unwanted and unforeseen barriers. if a patient feels like they are a burden to another person or if their symptoms include erectile dysfunction, there can be self-esteem and other issues that may complicate relationships. the best way to navigate these waters is to build a relationship based on honesty and openness and to reach out to a therapist who can help with any other issues that are not easily solved.

resources and support for people living with diabetes

diabetes canada offers information about the disease, including what to expect, how to find support and the status of the latest research efforts toward finding a cure. it also has a variety of tools to help determine the risk of diabetes, manage blood sugar levels and recognize what these levels mean. you’ll also find tips on stress management and how to build a dietitian-approved meal plan that is right for you.

an online search for diabetes education centres might turn up support in your own community. for example, ontario , b.c. and many other provinces are home to a number of these organizations that provide free strategies and support for diabetes management, many in multiple languages.

the future of diabetes in canada

late last year, canada’s federal government tabled its long-awaited vision for the future of diabetes care. it is hoped that this framework, which was developed in consultation with a host of health organizations and all levels of government, will eventually improve access to treatment and prevention of the disease. according to diabetes canada, which helped spearhead this effort, the framework holds the potential to prevent millions of cases of the disease , while providing vital aid to those who have already been diagnosed.

diabetes research

it may one day be possible to predict who will develop type 1 diabetes by focusing on an altered set of proteins researchers believe can lay the groundwork for the autoimmune disease. although much more work remains, identifying a biomarker for diabetes would help doctors monitor the condition of patients — and perhaps even intervene — before symptoms have a chance to appear.

other research has found that an extract from dahlia flower petals contains a molecule that can stabilize the blood sugar levels of diabetes patients by inhibiting brain inflammation caused by the “excessive consumption of a western diet.” in a randomized trial, researchers found this extract significantly improved blood sugar regulation in patients.

the role of education in diabetes

education and awareness can both play a huge role in stemming the tide of type 2 diabetes because certain risk factors for the disease can be controlled by making simple lifestyle changes . these include maintaining a healthy body weight, exercising and consuming a diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables. for patients who have already been diagnosed with this form of diabetes, these lifestyle changes are still helpful in managing the disease and may reduce or postpone the need for medication.