Diabetes predicted to strike thousands of more Islanders

The number of diabetes cases on Prince Edward Island will grow significantly in the next decade, according to a new study from the Canadian Diabetes Association.

This really could be a crisis for the health care system.- Jake Reid

The study found 32 per cent of Islanders, 49,000 people, currently have diabetes or pre-diabetes. With current trends that would grow to 37 per cent, 61,000 people, by 2026.

"Some people have suggested that this really could be a crisis for the health care system," said Jake Reid, director of government relations for the Canadian Diabetes Association.

"Diabetes is responsible for 30 per cent of strokes, 40 per cent of heart attacks, 50 per cent of kidney failure."

Diabetes costs the province about $14 million in direct health-care costs every year, he said.

Expensive for patients

Reid noted on average people in Atlantic Canada are less active than in other parts of the country, and there is more obesity. Those things are contributing to increasing rates of type 2 diabetes.

The Atlantic provinces already have the highest rates of diabetes in the country. Reid said Islanders need to take action immediately to get rates down.

While the provincial diabetes plan created two years ago is addressing many issues, said Reid, there is a need to make insulin strips and insulin pumps more affordable for everyone.

Islanders with diabetes can pay up to $2,000 a year out of pocket.

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