Diabetes could cost Ontario $7 billion a year by 2020, new study indicates

TORONTO — The Canadian Diabetes Association says if action isn’t taken now, diabetes could cost Ontario $7 billion a year by 2020.
A study released today by the association indicates the cost and prevalence of diabetes has risen sharply over the last 10 years in the province.

The Ontario Diabetes Cost Model estimates there are 1.2 million people, or 8.2 per cent of Ontario’s population, diagnosed with diabetes.
The study says that will increase to more than 1.9 million people, or 11.9 per cent of the population, by 2020.
The figures do not include undiagnosed people or those living with pre-diabetes, where blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough for an individual to be diagnosed with the disease.
The association is calling on the province to concentrate on a broad-based diabetes prevention strategy, a targeted population-at-risk strategy and a diabetes complications prevention strategy.
“The economic burden of diabetes in Ontario is staggering and threatens the sustainability of our health-care system and the provincial economy,” said association president Michael Cloutier.
“It’s estimated the direct and indirect financial impact of diabetes in Ontario currently costs the province $4.9 billion per year,” Cloutier said. “By 2020, these costs will increase to $7 billion per year if we don’t take action.”
The association also said the human cost of the disease is reaching epidemic proportions in the province.
“One in four Ontarians will be living either with diabetes or pre-diabetes by 2020,” said Cloutier.
“We need to focus on how we think about and approach diabetes management and prevention in our province.”