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Promoting Health Equity in Diabetes Care

Writer's picture: t2diabetesnetworkt2diabetesnetwork

On March 21, 2024, Calgary, Alberta became the focal point for advancing equitable healthcare with the first-ever *Western Canada Diabetes Health Equity Summit*, hosted by Diabetes Canada. This landmark event, supported by the Public Health Agency of Canada, gathered 25 participants from across British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba to share their experiences, successes, and challenges in tackling the growing issue of diabetes, with a particular focus on health equity.


A Call for Health Equity in Diabetes Care


Diabetes is a rapidly growing public health issue, with more than four million Canadians currently living with the condition. The burden of this disease disproportionately affects marginalized populations, including racialized communities, people experiencing homelessness, and those impacted by the social determinants of health (SDOH).


Recognizing the importance of a systemic, inclusive approach, the summit aimed to spotlight health equity and its role in diabetes care, prevention, and management. As part of the three-year project Sustaining Momentum to Implement the Diabetes Framework (SMIDF), this summit represented a step forward in applying the principles of the Framework for Diabetes in Canada to practical healthcare initiatives.

: Visual of the Framework for Diabetes in CanaVisual of the Framework for Diabetes in Canada

Figure taken from the Diabetes Canada report


Multi-Sectoral Collaboration: The Key to Progress


Participants at the summit hailed from diverse sectors including healthcare professionals, diabetes and health equity researchers, non-governmental organizations, and crown corporations. The cross-sectoral approach was essential to address the varying layers of diabetes care, especially when considering health equity.


By bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders, the summit aimed to:

  • Share successes and challenges in applying health equity principles to diabetes care,

  • Identify barriers in access to diabetes diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, particularly in vulnerable communities,

  • Highlight innovative and successful approaches to equitable diabetes care,

  • Explore the next steps to implementing a systems-level health equity approach across all diabetes programs.


Insights from the Summit


The discussions covered a wide range of topics, all centered around the core theme of health equity. Key presentations focused on:

  • Culturally Competent Diabetes Care: Ensuring care systems are tailored to meet the cultural needs of Black and South Asian communities in Canada.

  • The Impact of Diabetes on Homeless Populations: Addressing the unique healthcare challenges faced by people without stable housing.

  • The Role of Nutrition Policy: Exploring how nutrition interventions and policy can reduce the risk of diabetes, particularly in underserved communities.


The summit reinforced the idea that a “one-size-fits-all” approach to diabetes care doesn’t work, especially when cultural, economic, and social factors deeply influence health outcomes.


equity

Challenges and Barriers


Despite the progress highlighted at the summit, several barriers were identified as limiting equitable diabetes care across Western Canada:

  • Inconsistent Funding: Participants emphasized the critical need for sustained financial support to ensure the ongoing success of equity-based diabetes programs.

  • Government Involvement: Stronger government participation at both the local and federal levels is necessary to drive systemic changes.

  • Community Investment: Support for community-driven initiatives was seen as crucial to ensuring the long-term sustainability of diabetes care programs.


Looking Ahead: The Next Steps


As a result of the summit, several clear actions were outlined to drive forward the principles of health equity within the context of diabetes care. Some of the key next steps include:

  • Ongoing Networking and Knowledge Sharing: Continued collaboration between healthcare providers, researchers, NGOs, and other stakeholders will be vital in creating a shared understanding of best practices in equitable diabetes care.

  • Community Engagement: It’s essential to involve the communities most affected by diabetes in the conversation, to ensure their voices are heard, and their needs are met in policy development and program design.

  • Systems-Level Approach: Incorporating health equity into the core framework of diabetes care and prevention efforts is a long-term goal. Stakeholders must work toward integrating these principles at every level of healthcare, from primary care settings to specialized diabetes management programs.


healthcare provider

The Diabetes Framework for Canada: A National Strategy for Change


A significant focus of the summit was on the Diabetes Framework for Canada, introduced in 2022. This framework provides a comprehensive approach to managing diabetes in Canada, focusing on six interconnected components:

1. Prevention

2. Management, Treatment, and Care

3. Research

4. Surveillance and Data Collection

5. Learning and Knowledge Sharing

6. Access to Diabetes Devices, Medicines, and Financial Support.


The Diabetes Framework serves as the national policy direction for addressing diabetes and its associated healthcare challenges. By identifying gaps, reducing duplication, and fostering collaboration between stakeholders, it provides the government with an opportunity to monitor and assess progress in diabetes care.


Building Momentum for Health Equity in Diabetes Care


The Western Canada Diabetes Health Equity Summit laid the groundwork for a more inclusive and equitable approach to diabetes care. By fostering multi-sectoral collaboration and emphasizing the critical role of health equity, the summit participants have taken meaningful steps toward improving diabetes outcomes for all Canadians, particularly those in marginalized communities.


As the Sustaining Momentum to Implement the Diabetes Framework project moves forward, the lessons learned from this summit will serve as a valuable guide for future initiatives. By keeping health equity at the forefront, Canada can create a healthcare system where everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances, has access to the care and resources they need to live healthy, fulfilling lives.




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