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Dramatic rise in diabetes threatens economic prosperity in Nova Scotia
Canadian Diabetes Association Releases Nova Scotia Diabetes Cost Report
Halifax, Nova Scotia (November 23, 2010) – Today, in a press conference, the Canadian Diabetes Association released the findings from its Nova Scotia Diabetes Cost Model, forecasting a 44 per cent rise in diabetes prevalence rates over the next 10 years, resulting in the second highest level of prevalence rates in the country.
“The economic burden of diabetes in Nova Scotia is staggering and threatens the health of tens of thousands of Nova Scotians, the sustainability of the healthcare system, and the future economic prosperity of our province,” said Michael Cloutier, president and CEO of the Canadian Diabetes Association. “It’s estimated the direct and indirect financial impact of diabetes in Nova Scotia currently costs the province $383 million per year. By 2020, these costs will increase to nearly a half a billion dollars per year if we don’t take action.”
The economic burden of diabetes represents only a part of the province’s challenge. The human cost of the disease is also reaching epidemic proportions in the province. The Nova Scotia Diabetes Cost Model estimates that there are currently 87,000 people, or almost 9 per cent of the population, diagnosed with diabetes in Nova Scotia – increasing to more than 125,000, or 12.2 per cent of the population, by 2020. These prevalence rates, which are the second highest in the country, do not include people undiagnosed with diabetes, gestational diabetes, or people living with prediabetes, a condition where blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough for an individual to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
“By 2020, 30 per cent of Nova Scotians will be living either with diabetes or prediabetes,” said Cloutier. “Turning the tide against diabetes requires a shift in government approach, private sector involvement, and broad-based personal and societal change.”
In order to offset the burden caused by diabetes, the Canadian Diabetes Association recommends that government adjust its current approach to diabetes in the province to emphasize a broad-based secondary prevention strategy, including greater access to diabetes medications, devices, and supplies in order to prevent or delay costly diabetes-related complications.
Provincial diabetes cost model reports have also been released for New Brunswick, Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia. The Association continues to roll-out diabetes cost models for all provinces and territories, including Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador reports being issued this week. Prevalence rates of diabetes throughout Atlantic Canada are the highest in the country.
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About the Nova Scotia Diabetes Cost Model
The Nova Scotia Diabetes Cost Model was created for the Association by the Centre for Spatial Economics based on the Canadian Diabetes Cost Model developed by Informetrica Limited and made possible by an unrestricted educational grant provided by Novo Nordisk Canada Inc. The two main sources of data used for the estimate and forecasts come from the National Diabetes Surveillance System (NDSS) and Health Canada’s study titled the Economic Burden of Illness in Canada (EBIC). The Model aimed to integrate the administrative prevalence and incidence estimates from NDSS with the economic cost estimates from EBIC.
The Model supports analysis of the sensitivity of the prevalence and cost estimates to changes in demographic data, incidence and mortality rates by age and sex, and the average annual number of net general practitioner and specialist visits by people with diabetes. Assumptions made in this model are conservative and may understate the prevalence and cost of diabetes in the future, rather than to overstate it.
About the Canadian Diabetes Association
Today, more than nine million Canadians live with diabetes or prediabetes. Across the country, the Canadian Diabetes Association is leading the fight against diabetes by helping people with diabetes live healthy lives while we work to find a cure. Our community-based network of supporters help us provide education and services to people living with diabetes, advocate for our cause, break ground towards a cure, and translate research into practical applications. For more information, please visit diabetes.ca or call 1-800-BANTING (226-8464).
For additional information or to schedule an interview, please contact:
Sherry Calder
Manager, Marketing & Communications
Canadian Diabetes Association
T: (902) 453-3518
C: (902) 221-1162
E:
Randi Garcha
Manager, National Media Relations & External Communications
Canadian Diabetes Association
T: (416) 408-7071
C: (647) 292-9641
E:
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