The Canadian Diabetes Association has created a diabetes charter setting out what it believes are the rights and responsibilities of patients, governments, employers, schools and health care providers. The goal is to raise awareness of diabetes and to enhance the well-being of patients. The association cannot enforce compliance but hopes it will be voluntary.
Prevalence of diabetes skyrockets
Over nine million Canadians have diabetes or pre-diabetes out of a population of 35 million. The cost of their care is estimated at $13 billion annually. That is expected to rise to over $16 billion in six years’ time when it’s estimated one in three Canadians will be affected.
The numbers skyrocket as a large proportion of the population ages, more people are becoming overweight and sedentary. Canada’s population also includes many ethnicities which are at higher risk for developing diabetes such as Asians, South Asians, blacks and indigenous peoples. Those with diabetes risk complications like heart attack, stroke, amputation, kidney disease and blindness.
Patients afraid of discrimination
“37 per cent of people living with diabetes will not self-identify to their employers or schools,” says Rick Blickstead, head of the Canadian Diabetes Association. A student who needs to inject insulin at school may be afraid of being teased or ostracised, he says. Employees may be afraid managers will not think them capable or a good prospect for promotion.
The charter aims to ensure that people living with diabetes are treated with respect and dignity and that they be free from stigma and discrimination. It also says that they have a responsibility to self-manage their condition and to be open and honest with health care providers.
Government support needed for expensive care
The charter calls for governments to form comprehensive policies and plans for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diabetes and to ensure they provide financial supports for expensive care.
“In some parts of our country…the cost of the disease can be three to seven per cent of your total household income, gross income,” says Blickstead. “So we’re looking at governments to help with that.”
Health care providers should have training, funding and the tools to provide high quality care, says Blickstead. Workplaces need to provide an environment where employees can reach their full potential and schools need to provide a safe environment for children.
Stakeholders will be held to account
The charter will be disseminated to diabetes associations across Canada and Blickstead expects them to monitor how stakeholders comply with it. He suggests report cards be issued to hold them to account.
“We want to ensure that first, people are aware of diabetes and to ensure that people who live with diabetes are treated with dignity and respect,” says Blickstead. “Secondly, we want to advocate for equitable access to high quality diabetes care. It shouldn’t matter where you live in Canada…And lastly, we want to enhance the health and quality of life for people who live with diabetes and their caregivers.”
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