Preventing and Managing Chronic Disease

Diabetes Program

Diabetes is a serious chronic disease that is costly to both the affected individual and to society. It requires the daily commitment of the individual with diabetes to self-manage through a balance of lifestyle and medication.

Because of the complex nature of the disease and to prevent long-term complications, diabetes management requires regular access to health care services.

We have developed a number of innovative initiatives to address diabetes and its debilitating complications. These include:

• A Pediatric Diabetes Initiative for children with type 1 diabetes
• A Diabetes Complications Prevention Strategy
• Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative

While people with diabetes only make up about 11% of Ontario’s population, they account for:

• 39% of heart attacks;
• 35% of strokes;
• 53 % of cases receiving renal replacement therapy (includes dialysis and kidney transplantation); and
• 69 % of limb amputations.

The ministry’s Diabetes Program is focused on diabetes education, early intervention and effective prevention of complications and is committed to a responsive health care system that helps Ontarians lead independent and quality lives.

The Pediatric Diabetes Initiative was established in 2001 to make appropriate education, treatment and follow-up resources available to children with diabetes and their parents. This initiative has provided funding for the establishment of 35 programs across Ontario and supports a pediatric insulin pump program.

The Diabetes Complications Prevention Strategy (DCPS) was established in 1997 to provide basic-level diabetes education programs in Ontario. Funding has been granted to over 150 hospitals and community-based health organizations to establish or enhance local diabetes programs. The primary role of local diabetes programs is to educate people with diabetes to self-manage their disease and prevent/delay the onset of diabetes-related complications.

The Ontario Aboriginal Diabetes Strategy sets out a long-term approach to diabetes prevention, care and treatment, education, research and coordination. The Southern Ontario Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative (SOADI) was established in 1994. The service delivery model was developed and continues to be directed by representatives of all major Aboriginal organizations and independent First Nations in southern Ontario. SOADI provides diabetes education, prevention and management in on- and off-reserve Aboriginal communities in southern Ontario. In 2001, additional funding was allocated to eight Aboriginal Provincial/Territorial Organizations (PTOs) to establish front-line education services in their communities. In 2006, additional funding was allocated to SOADI to deliver an annual diabetes education program for Aboriginal diabetes workers throughout Ontario; and to administer a foot care program in southern Ontario.

Diabetes and Assistive Devices Program

The government of Ontario provides funding for diabetes equipment and supplies for individuals requiring insulin under the Assistive Devices Program (ADP), to give people increased independence and control over their lives.

Assistive Devices Program (ADP):

• The mandate of the Assistive Devices Program (ADP) is to provide funding support to Ontario residents with long-term physical disabilities to assist them to obtain competitively priced, personalized assistive devices appropriate to the individual’s basic needs. The ADP is universally accessible to all Ontarians.
• ADP’s Insulin Syringes for Seniors Program provides an annual grant of $170 to diabetic seniors receiving financial assistance for insulin through the Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) Program.
• The ADP provides 100 per cent funding of an approved price ($6300) for certain insulin pumps and a yearly grant of $2400 for related supplies for people with type 1 diabetes who meet ADP’s eligibility criteria.
• The ADP provides 100 percent funding for the sensors and transmitters used with a real-time Continuous Glucose Monitor and listed with the program, up to a maximum allowable quantity per two years, for people with type 1 diabetes who meet the ADP’s eligibility criteria.
• ADP transfers payment to Diabetes Canada to administer the Monitoring for Health Program to help with the costs of blood glucose meters, bloodletting devices and test strips. Funding is provided to individuals of all ages requiring insulin or those with gestational diabetes, who do not have access to other funding such as other government funding programs or workplace or private insurance. The Program pays 75 per cent of the cost of a regular blood glucose meter to a maximum payment of $75 and 75 per cent of the cost of a talking meter for the visually impaired to a maximum of $300. The program also pays 75 per cent of the cost for related supplies such as the testing strips and bloodletting devices (lancets) up to a maximum of $920 per year. Blood glucose meters measure the level of sugar in the blood and allows insulin dependent diabetics to adjust the dosage of insulin accordingly. The Program will pay for a new meter once every five years.

For additional information see: Assistive Devices Program.

Diabetes and Ontario Drug Program

If you qualify, the Ontario Drug Benefit plan covers:

• most types of insulin
• oral medications (hypoglycemics)
• blood testing strips (based on diabetes treatment)

For additional information see : Ontario Drug Benefit Program

Diabetes Resources

• Find your nearest diabetes education center
• Stand up to Diabetes