"We recommend that all candidates and parties in this election make diabetes a priority by introducing a comprehensive diabetes strategy that will address the major drivers increasing diabetes costs and prevalence," said Jake Reid, Regional Director, New Brunswick & PEI, Canadian Diabetes Association.  "Targeted investments in improving access to diabetes health services, education, medications, devices and supplies and financial support are all key elements in the prevention of diabetes and the serious medical complications associated with the disease." 

Earlier this year, the Association released The New Brunswick Diabetes Cost Model which found that both the cost and prevalence of diabetes in the province are at dramatically high levels and it is expected that this burden will continue to elevate over the next decade.

It is estimated that in New Brunswick, there are currently 65,000 people that have been diagnosed with diabetes (8.6% of the population), and this will rise to 88,000 (10.9% of the population) by 2020. This challenge becomes magnified when we consider that the rate of those with undiagnosed diabetes in New Brunswick has been estimated to be as high as 30%.

Source: CANADIAN DIABETES ASSOCIATION