Canada is facing an escalating public health crisis: the surging prevalence of type 2 diabetes. 

Once considered to affect mostly older adults, prevalence in youth and young adults is on the rise. We now know that Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM) can occur at any age. It’s a chronic condition where the body becomes resistant to insulin or doesn’t produce enough insulin, leading to elevated blood sugar levels that can result in serious health complications like heart disease, kidney damage, and nerve damage. 

According to Diabetes Canada, over 11 million Canadians are living with diabetes or prediabetes, with T2DM accounting for up to 95 per cent of all cases. In 2022, the cost of diabetes to Canada was estimated to exceed $30 billion, including direct healthcare costs and indirect costs related to loss of productivity and premature death. These numbers have more than doubled over the past two decades, reflecting a broader global epidemic. 

Risk factors for T2DM are well-documented: poor diet, physical inactivity, and obesity. But the rapid increase in cases suggests current approaches to managing these risk factors aren't working. 

In Canada, the prevalence of obesity has risen sharply, with nearly one in three adults now classified as obese. This trend is mirrored by increasing childhood obesity rates, which is particularly concerning as it predisposes individuals to a lifetime of health challenges, including elevated risk of T2DM.

While lifestyle choices play a significant role, income inequality, education, and access to healthcare also play a part. In Canada, Indigenous populations, individuals with low income, and people living in rural or remote areas face disproportionately higher chances of developing the disease. Addressing these inequities requires targeted interventions that go beyond individual behaviour change, and focus on systemic issues such as food security, education, and access to culturally appropriate healthcare. 

Despite the alarming statistics, there is no national study documenting Canadians’ understanding of T2DM — until now. The Next Steps Survey, led by the Diabetes Prevention Research Group (DPRG) at the University of British Columbia, is gathering comprehensive data on diet and exercise behaviours, healthcare experiences, and barriers to type 2 diabetes prevention programs and services. This data is crucial, and will help develop effective and accessible strategies to tackle this deepening national health crisis. Take the survey and share it with others to broaden the impact. Your voice matters.

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Christina Skinner is the Communications lead for the Diabetes Prevention Research Group at the Centre of Health Behaviour Change.