The Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA) is pleased with the federal government investments in the health of Canadians started in the 2016 budget.
The CDA wants to single out its support for the government’s commitment of $8.4 billion over five years to improve the conditions of indigenous communities, including $270 million for health infrastructure. Diabetes is one of many health problems faced by aboriginal Canadians, who face significantly higher rates of diabetes and suffer more health consequences than the overall population.
Dr. Jan Hux, Chief Science Officer, CDA, says: “We hope the investment in indigenous communities will improve their living, educational, social and health conditions with a long-term benefit being the prevention of diabetes whenever possible, as well as reducing its negative health impact. To accomplish that, culturally-based prevention programs are needed that are sensitive to traditional practices and language, run by trained community members.”
Other areas that will help the 11 million Canadians with diabetes or prediabetes are:
- Nutrition North funding to help make the healthy food in northern Canada more accessible; and
- reviewing nutrition labelling.
The CDA continues to urge the federal government to follow up on policy areas raised during the 2015 federal election and in the CDA’s 2015 Report on Diabetes – Driving Change, namely:
- develop a national pharmacare program;
- introduce a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages – something a recent Senate report also suggested;
- extend the Disability Tax Credit to all Canadians living with type 1 diabetes. Now, only those under 18 qualify;
- improve support children with diabetes in schools; and
- improve foot screening, risk assessment and access to needed devices to prevent diabetes-related foot complications.
About Diabetes Canada
Diabetes Canada is the registered national charitable organization that is making the invisible epidemic of diabetes visible and urgent. Diabetes Canada partners with Canadians to End Diabetes through:
- Resources for health care professionals on best practices to care for people with diabetes;
- Advocacy to governments, schools and workplaces; and
- Funding world-leading Canadian research to improve treatments and find a cure.
For more information, visit diabetes.ca or call 1-800-BANTING (226-8464).