The Diabetes Charter for Canada: What does it mean for you?

Earlier this year, Diabetes Canada announced a Diabetes Charter for Canada, which laid out the rights and responsibilities of people with diabetes, governments, healthcare providers and schools. The Charter aims to empower Canadians with diabetes and their caregivers, while also providing governments with a standard of care to ensure there is comparable support for people living with diabetes across the country.

The guiding principles of the Diabetes Canada in developing the Charter are to:

• ensure that people who live with diabetes are treated with dignity and respect
• advocate for equitable access to high-quality diabetes care and support
• enhance the health and quality of life for people who live with diabetes and their caregivers

Since the number of Canadians living with diabetes is growing at an alarming rate, it is more important than ever that governments and healthcare organizations ensure that the rights and responsibilities of people with diabetes are addressed and met. Today, more than nine million Canadians are living with diabetes (that’s one in four people). By 2020, it is expected that almost 11% of Canadians will be diagnosed with diabetes.

The Diabetes Charter for Canada gives a voice to those in the diabetes community. It presents a common vision through a set of principles that confirm the roles of key individuals within the community.

Highlights of the charter include:

• Canadians living with diabetes have the right to affordable and timely access to prescribed medications, devices, supplies and high quality care, as well as affordable and adequate access to healthy foods and recreation, regardless of their income or where they live.
• Canadians living with diabetes have the right to fully participate in daycare, preschool, school and extracurricular activities, receiving reasonable accommodation and assistance if needed.
• Canadians living with diabetes have the responsibility to self-manage to the best of their abilities and personal circumstances, including a healthy diet and exercise.
• Governments have the responsibility to collect data on diabetes burden, such as costs and complications.
• Governments have the responsibility to implement policies and regulations to support schools and workplaces in providing reasonable accommodation to people with diabetes in their self-management.
• Schools, preschools and daycares have the responsibility to provide a safe environment for diabetes self-management and protect children with diabetes from discrimination.

Show your support by signing the Diabetes Charter for Canada today.