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Advocacy

What is an advocate?

An advocate is a person who supports or speaks up to try to improve a situation. Advocacy is the act of providing verbal support or argument for a cause, policy or action. Everyone has the ability to advocate on their own behalf or on behalf of others.

Why do we advocate?

We advocate because we see a perceived injustice or imbalance. When we advocate, we are asking for change .

What can be achieved through advocacy?

As an organization working with and on behalf of people affected by diabetes, the Canadian Diabetes Association’s advocacy work focuses on:

  • raising awareness of the seriousness of diabetes and its costly complications with individuals, governments, business and other organizations;
  • improving diabetes policies, programs, and services;
  • encouraging and supporting efforts to prevent type 2 diabetes and its complications;
  • ensuring access to quality care;
  • reducing the incidence of discrimination because of diabetes and providing information, support and referrals to individuals who experience discrimination.

What are some of the barriers facing people with diabetes?

  • Little or no recognition of the extraordinary financial burdens faced by people with diabetes that could be alleviated by governments.
  • Long waiting lists for diabetes education programs and services and difficult access for those living outside urban areas.
  • Drug coverage programs that offer different levels of financial support across the country (for example, very high deductible or co-payment requirements and/or restrictive age or income requirements).
  • Provincial and territorial drug formulary systems that create unequal access to medications to Canadians depending on where they live.
  • Assumptions that diabetes automatically implies disability. Outdated assumptions about diabetes and limited awareness of the improvements in treatment and control often lead to discrimination in relation to employment, driving, insurance or participation in school, sports or other activities.

Advocacy Position Statements

People with diabetes face many issues that have serious and long-term effects on their physical, emotional and financial quality of life.  The position statements provide for the presentation of a clear, comprehensive and unified message about issues of relevance to people living with diabetes to different levels of government, business and the public. 

The Canadian Diabetes Association advocates on behalf of Canadians living with diabetes by giving them a strong voice and supporting them through education and services, advocacy, research and translating research into practical applications. These position statements serve as a bedrock or foundation on which all Association’s advocacy action is built.

How can I get involved?

To find out about advocacy activities underway in your area, contact your nearest Regional Canadian Diabetes Association office and ask to speak with the person responsible for advocacy.

Email the Office of Government Relations and Public Policy and tell us your ideas and how you would like to help.