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Candidates urged to support insulin pump funding in Alberta
EDMONTON, ALBERTA (April 2, 2012) – Today, the Canadian Diabetes Association launched Election Central, a website dedicated to providing Alberta voters with information about candidates’ positions on important diabetes-related issues. The site also features tools to help Albertans with diabetes have their voices heard during this election. The website can be accessed at election.diabetes.ca
“Diabetes is an epidemic in Canada and Alberta is currently one of the only provinces that do not offer any funding for insulin pumps,” says Laura Kemp, Regional Director, Alberta and NWT, Canadian Diabetes Association. “This election provides Albertans living with diabetes the chance to make leadership choices on diabetes-related issues. Election Central will help voters learn about where the candidates stand and communicate the importance of implementing an insulin pump program in Alberta.”
The Canadian Diabetes Association’s Economic Benefit of Public Funding for Insulin Pumps in Alberta report shows that a government investment into a publicly funded insulin pump program will not only improve health outcomes for Albertans living with diabetes, but will save the province up to $10.8 million by 2032.
Albertans living with diabetes face some of the highest levels of personal expenses that can prevent them from being able to effectively manage their disease. The Association’s Burden of Out-of-Pocket Costs for Canadians with Diabetes reports that the average out-of-pocket expenses (i.e. diabetes medications, devices and supplies) for an Albertan living with type 2 diabetes is approximately $2,500 per year. For people with type 1 diabetes, this amount rises to nearly $3,000 per year—amongst the highest levels in the country. Without a publicly funded insulin pump program, insulin pump users see personal expenses rising to more than $6,800 a year—an amount very few can afford.
“Candidates will be asked to show their support for a publicly funded insulin pump program in Alberta,” adds Kemp. “It’s a win-win; funding for insulin pumps can reduce complications and increase the quality of life for people living with type 1 diabetes and save Alberta’s healthcare system millions of dollars over the next 20 years.”
Latest statistics from the Association’s Alberta Diabetes Cost Model estimates that 217,000 people in Alberta were diagnosed with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes in 2010—representing approximately 5.8 per cent of the population. By 2020, that number is expected to reach 363,000 or 8.6 per cent of the population. The prevalence rate increase in Alberta is the highest (67 per cent) in Canada.
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About the Canadian Diabetes Association
The Canadian Diabetes Association is a registered charitable organization, leading the fight against diabetes by helping people with diabetes live healthy lives while we work to find a cure. Our professional staff and more than 20,000 volunteers provide education and services to help people in their daily fight against the disease, advocate on behalf of people with diabetes for the opportunity to achieve their highest quality of life, and break ground towards a cure. Please visit diabetes.ca, join us on facebook.com/CanadianDiabetesAssociation, follow us on Twitter @DiabetesAssoc, or call 1-800-BANTING (226-8464).
For additional information or to schedule an interview, please contact:
Katie Ostler
Canadian Diabetes Association, Ontario
Office: (416) 408-7088
Cell: (416) 407-2177
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