Thank you, Jan. It's a pleasure to be here.
As Jan mentioned, in 2018 Diabetes Canada is building on a successful model that has been credited for a transformational breakthrough in the treatment and management of HIV/AIDS, and adapting it to tackle diabetes in Canada. Implementing this approach would mean that, in time, 100% of Canadians would live in an environment that does not promote the development of diabetes; 90% of Canadians would know whether they are at risk of or living with diabetes; 90% of those with pre-diabetes or diabetes would be engaged in interventions that would help them avoid developing diabetes or its complications, and in consequence, 90% would be experiencing improved health outcomes.
This could translate into preventing diabetes in millions of Canadians who are currently on track to develop it. Millions of Canadians with diabetes who are at risk of serious complications like blindness, kidney failure, or amputation would see that risk reduced, and significant time and money would be saved or used more efficiently by our health care system.
Proven prevention programs, if implemented across the country, could save our health care system $1.24 billion over 10 years alone. Greater savings can be realized by helping those with diabetes avoid its complications through more effective management. The savings in human costs are immeasurable.
To develop the best approach possible to tackling the diabetes problem, Diabetes Canada is working with more than 120 expert stakeholders, a number of whom are here today, from nearly 100 organizations in health care, government, the private sector, and education, to recommend how Canada can develop and implement a new approach that will bring real results.
We can't do it alone, however. We need the federal government to partner with us on this initiative. Our teams are working hard to bring forward a recommendation to our government's pre-budget consultation process this summer, but by way of preview, it will include important initiatives such as the following:
Health inequities and food insecurity will be tackled. Regular physical activity will be facilitated for all Canadians. Screening for the risk of diabetes and for its complications will be done more consistently according to best practice. Stigma about diabetes and its causes will be minimized. The health care delivery system will be adjusted to ensure that each patient gets the most appropriate health care provider for their situation and that health care resources are used most efficiently. The rate of complications of diabetes will be reduced, and the sense of overall well-being of people living with diabetes will be improved.