national framework a critical turning point for canadians living with diabetes

“this is a huge step forward for people across canada living with diabetes.”  

laura syron, president and ceo of diabetes canada in toronto, is referring to the “national framework for diabetes,” which minister of health jean-yves duclos tabled in early october.  

syron’s organization has been lobbying for this initiative for more than five years. “it is very significant because it serves as a rallying cry and roadmap for the government to get going on a diabetes strategy. this is an important catalyst to create change.”  

while the framework is an important milestone, the next is bringing it to life. “the framework provides a point of focus for government, charities, people living with diabetes, and health care organizations,” syron says. “now the question is, how can it be used to improve prevention, care, and management of diabetes?”  

she likens the framework to the edge of a jigsaw puzzle. “we have the outline and know the sections that need to be done.”  

according to diabetes canada, 11.7 million canadians currently live with diabetes or prediabetes. approximately six million are prediabetic, four million have diabetes (half a million of them living with type 1) and know they have it, while 1.7 million don’t know they have it. today, more than $50 million dollars a day is spent on health care to treat diabetes.  

diabetes canada is highlighting five key areas of focus for the framework moving forward.   

the first is access to resources, including education. “do we have access to the right things to manage this disease well and reduce the chances of complications associated with diabetes, such as heart attacks, kidney disease, adult blindness, stroke, and amputation.”  

the second is the need for an external advisory body to watch over and evaluate the framework, as well as measure progress and outcomes, and share best practices.   

accurate, verifiable data is the third pillar. “much of the data around diabetes are estimates,” says syron.  

fourth is a call for patient and health-care provider education to tackle the stigmas and apathy around diabetes. patient education needs to be inclusive and built on lived experience, syron explains.   

the final pillar is investing in research, particularly in innovative areas such as stem cell therapies, and type 2 remission.  

jenika myers-jennings believes the framework is on the right track but wants to see “accountability that includes different cultures, backgrounds, and races.” supplied

jenika myers-jennings, who has lived with type 1 diabetes most of her life, is pleased to see the framework taking shape. diagnosed at the age of two, she understands the importance of access to resources and support. “i can’t live without it,” she says. “when i was first diagnosed, it was not the same world we live in now.”  

she considers herself fortunate in that she has had regular access to an endocrinologist through the hospital for sick children. most of her expenses are covered through her family’s health insurance plan. but she is keenly aware that others are not so fortunate.  

as a woman of colour, myers-jennings is especially concerned about representation for different communities. “at clinical trials, i didn’t see people of colour,” she says. “there’s a social component to all this. there are certain communities where people aren’t going to doctors or getting the support they need.”  

myers-jennings is currently working on her master’s degree in public health; her research is on the societal aspect of diabetes. “i believe the framework is on the right track. while the intention is there, i hope we will see tracking and accountability that includes different cultures, backgrounds, and races.”  

myers-jennings has observed a difference in her story compared to others. “for people diagnosed in their teens or early 20s, such as my cousin, the learning curve is unbelievably steep. getting access and support is hard. if the surrounding support system isn’t there, you are left to fend for yourself.”  

this need for support is reflected in the fact that diabetes canada’s 1-800 banting information line gets 20,000 calls a year, says syron. “many are from patients who have just been diagnosed and don’t know where to turn.”  

now that the framework has been tabled, syron is asking canadians to encourage politicians to take action and put money on the table. “it’s especially important given the impact of the pandemic on diabetes patients,” she points out. “many weren’t going for regular checkups, bloodwork, or eye exams. are we going to see more people on dialysis or amputations because covid hampered their ability to see someone?     

syron thinks a mechanism for best practice-sharing across the country might have made a difference. “this framework would allow us to improve on that, among many other benefits.”  

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national framework a critical turning point for canadians living with diabetes

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