The number of Canadians living with diabetes has doubled since 2000, and will grow by another 40 per cent by 2025 says the Canadian Diabetes Association.
In British Columbia, the number of people living with diabetes is expected to grow to approximately 463,000 in 2016.
This means 28.2 per cent of the population will be living with diabetes or prediabetes, including many living with the disease but undiagnosed. The Public Health Agency of Canada estimates that 30 per cent of all people living with diabetes are undiagnosed.
“There is no mistaking the seriousness of diabetes,” says Julie Knisley, Regional Director for the Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA) for British Columbia and Yukon. “Diabetes is not only a personal crisis for individuals living with the disease and for their families, but for the province as well.”
The CDA’s recent report on diabetes, Driving Change, highlighted the action needed to address gaps in the care available to Canadians living with diabetes in the face of rapidly growing numbers.
“The Canadian Diabetes Association is working hard to support the health of Canadians through education, research, advocacy, improved treatments, and prevention by collaborating with all stakeholders in the diabetes community,” adds Knisley.
