Diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases affecting Canadians. And it’s a life-changing diagnosis — not only impacting physical health but mental and financial wellness as well. This is something all plan sponsors should be concerned about. However, there are ways organizations can help address the risks to their members, and that starts with getting a better understanding of the issues at stake.

Here are five things for plan sponsors to remember when considering diabetes and benefits strategy:

  1. Diabetes is an ongoing and growing concern. About 9% of the Canadian population has diagnosed diabetes. And another 6% have prediabetes — putting them at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. These rates have increased year over year, and this trend is expected to continue.1 This means that diabetes is almost certainly affecting some of your employees and their families. The bottom line is diabetes impacts your organization even if your benefits or wellness strategy doesn’t currently address it.
  2. Diabetes usually isn’t an isolated health issue. For example, those with diabetes are far more likely to be hospitalized for cardiovascular disease, kidney disease and limb amputation. It’s also a major contributing factor for other serious conditions, including strokes and heart attacks.2 And the impacts aren’t limited to physical health. For example, 30% of people living with diabetes have also experienced clinical depression.2 Diabetes can also impact financial wellness. For example, an Ontario study showed that 70% of diabetics found it difficult to cover the associated health expenses.3
  3. Diabetes is costly in many ways. First, there are the obvious impacts on your benefit spend. Diabetic plan members cost drug plans four times more than the average member. Disability absence leaves for those with diabetes are 15% longer than average. It also can cost your organization in other ways. For example, each plan member with type 2 diabetes is estimated to cost a sponsor $1,500 per year due to absence and reduced productivity.4
  4. Diabetes isn’t always inevitable. Certain risk factors for diabetes — such as weight, blood pressure and activity levels — can be controlled. For those diagnosed as prediabetic, medication can also help prevent type 2 diabetes.5 But plan members won’t be worried about something they don’t know. It has been estimated that more than 20% of diabetics and prediabetics in Canada aren’t even aware of these risk factors.6 Closing the awareness gap through communication and regular testing is key.
  5. A proactive approach is best. Clearly diabetes is an important issue for both plan sponsors and members. What can organizations do to help address it? Start with the basics. First, consider your unique employee base and the risk factors they might face. Next, consider your plan options and wellness strategy. Are they equipped to help your diabetic members understand and manage their condition? Lastly, remember the importance of communication. Help your plan members understand the risk factors, the importance of testing and how they can navigate the support available to them.

The HUB Health & Performance team can help you assess and put in place wellbeing or absence and disability management strategies to address the physical and mental health needs of your plan members. Contact your HUB Health & Performance consultant to learn more.

1 Statistics Canada, “Framework for diabetes in Canada”, October 5, 2022.
2 Diabetes Canada, “Diabetes in Canada – Backgrounder”, January 2021.
3 Diabetes Canada, “New Data Shows Diabetes Rates And Economic Burden On Families Continue To Rise In Ontario”, February 12, 2019.
4 Benefits Canada, “Plan Sponsors Guide to Diabetes – Workplace Impact of Diabetes”, September 2021.
5 Diabetes Canada Clinical Practice Guidelines Expert Committee, “Reducing the Risk of Developing Diabetes”, 2018.
6 Health Services Canada, “Diabetes in Canada: Facts and figures from a public health perspective”, 2011.