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Shocking Rise In Diabetes Threatens Economic Prosperity In Alberta
EMBARGO UNTIL 10:30 A.M. WEDNESDAY, October 20, 2010
Canadian Diabetes Association Releases Alberta Diabetes Report
EDMONTON, ALBERTA (October 20, 2010) – Today, the Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA) released the findings from its Alberta Diabetes Cost Model, forecasting a 67 per cent increase in diabetes diagnoses in Alberta – the highest rate increase in Canada. The model shows that without action, the cost and prevalence of diabetes in the province will continue to increase substantially over the next 10 years.
“The economic burden of diabetes in Alberta is staggering and threatens the sustainability of our healthcare system and the provincial economy,” said Michael Cloutier, President and CEO, Canadian Diabetes Association. “It’s estimated the direct and indirect financial impact of diabetes in Alberta currently costs the province $1.1 billion per year. By 2020, these costs will increase to $1.6 billion per year if we don’t take action.”
The economic burden of diabetes represents only a part of Alberta’s challenge. The human cost of the disease is also reaching epidemic proportions in the province. The Alberta Diabetes Cost Model estimates that there are currently 217,000 people, or 5.8 per cent of the population, diagnosed with diabetes in Alberta – increasing to more than 363, 000 people, or 8.6 per cent of the population, by 2020. These figures do not include people undiagnosed with diabetes or people living with prediabetes, where blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough for an individual to be diagnosed with the disease.
“A significant number of Albertans will be living either with diabetes or prediabetes by 2020,” 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 has recommended that the government adjust its current Alberta Diabetes Strategy to reflect a broad-based secondary prevention strategy including greater access to diabetes medications, devices and supplies in order to prevent or delay costly diabetes complications.
“It is time to empower people living with diabetes and their families to manage their disease and lead healthy lives,” added Cloutier.
The release of the Alberta Diabetes Cost Model coincides with the CDA/CSEM Professional Conference and Annual Meetings taking place in Edmonton from October 20 – 23, 2010. For more information visit https://conference.diabetes.ca/Default.asp?id=1&l=1.
This is the third provincial cost model report released by the Canadian Diabetes Association. The first report was released this past May for New Brunswick and in September for Ontario. The Association continues to roll out diabetes cost models for all provinces and territories.
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About the Alberta Diabetes Cost Model
The Alberta 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
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. We are supported in our efforts by a community-based network of volunteers, employees, healthcare professionals, researchers and partners. By providing education and services, advocating on behalf of people with diabetes, supporting research, and translating research into practical applications - we are delivering on our mission.For more information, please visit diabetes.ca or call 1-800-BANTING (226-8464).
The prevalence & burden of diabetes in Alberta
The cost of diabetes in Alberta
For additional information or to schedule an interview, please contact:
Jennifer Robitaille
NATIONAL Public Relations
403-531-0331 ext. 498
Katie McLaughlin
Canadian Diabetes Association, AB & NWT
780-423-5722 ext. 240
On-site: 780-504-4981
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