Brampton, ON, June 25, 2019:
Today, 1 in 9 adults aged 20 and older—more than three million Canadians—lives with diagnosed diabetes. Approximately 90% of these cases are type 2 diabetes, which is a preventable form of diabetes for many Canadians. Although diabetes continues to rise at an alarming rate, there are currently no significant or effective interventions for preventing type 2 diabetes on a national scale in Canada. That’s why LMC Healthcare has teamed up with Diabetes Canada to deliver Canada’s first national diabetes prevention program.
The Canadian Diabetes Prevention Program (CDPP) is part of a national study that will investigate the efficacy of an intensive, digital and telephonic lifestyle change program in helping Canadians who have not been diagnosed with diabetes reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
The CDPP is based on a similar study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States that demonstrated success in reducing future risk of diabetes with structured lifestyle management. The CDPP program participants will be supported through regular interactions with a personal Health Coach, online education modules, group workshops and digital health tracking to make meaningful changes in their diet and physical activity over a 12-month period. The study plans to enroll 3,850 adults across major cities in Canada over the next four years.
Funding for the study is being provided in large part by the Public Health Agency of Canada. The program will be delivered by LMC Healthcare and Diabetes Canada in collaboration with INTERVENT International. Key partners offering valuable support include McMaster University, and mdBriefcase.
“The Canadian Diabetes Prevention Program has the potential to improve the health of Canadians and reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes,” says Russell Williams, Senior Vice President Mission, Diabetes Canada. “In the face of a diabetes epidemic, partnering to deliver prevention programs such as this are vital. We have also introduced DIABETES 360˚, a framework for a pan Canadian diabetes strategy, developed in partnership with 100 members of the diabetes community. CDPP is a perfect example of an innovative intervention that we can scale nationally as part of DIABETES 360 ˚.”
“Diabetes continues to be one of the fastest growing chronic diseases in Canada,” says Mark Angelo, CEO, LMC Healthcare. “By joining forces with Diabetes Canada and our other collaborators, we now have the opportunity to deliver a proven and engaging Diabetes Prevention Program that we expect will reduce the incidence of type 2 diabetes and improve the health of Canadians at risk.”
“We are privileged to collaborate in this important project with the Public Health Agency, Diabetes Canada, LMC and mdBriefcase. By providing the digital platform, content, other services and key support we are enabling specially trained LMC coaches to deliver proven behavior change assistance that will help thousands of my fellow Canadians improve their health.” stated Dr. Saul Quint, CEO, INTERVENT Canada.
The program has begun enrolling participants in cities in Southern Ontario and Winnipeg. CDPP will be available in other metro areas across the country soon.
To learn more and find out if you are eligible to participate, visit lmc.ca/diabetes-prevention