New Report Shows Type 2 Diabetes is More Prevalent in Peel Region

On April 15, 2024 the Novo Nordisk Network for Healthy Populations at the University of Toronto released their report, The Current State of Type 2 Diabetes in the Peel Region. The report compiles more than two years of intensive study on diabetes prevalence and risk in the region, along with identifying factors that contribute to the higher than average numbers for this community.

“Our report found that the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in Peel Region is substantially higher than the Ontario average,” says Dr. Lorraine Lipscombe, Director of the Network for Healthy Populations. “Rates of diabetes have continued to rise with close to 1 in 6 adults living with the condition in 2020. We believe that there are many factors that play into this increase, including individual biology and the changing environmental and social conditions that affect people’s ability to access services and engage in healthy behaviours.”

The report also found:

• Many neighbourhoods in Peel Region have barriers that make it difficult for people to make healthy choices. These include poor walkability, lack of access to transit and a high concentration of fast food outlets.
• Over the next 10 years, the highest increase in cases of diabetes will occur among visible minority, immigrant and lower income populations—groups that make up a large percentage of the region’s population.
• Between 30% and 50% of people living with diabetes in Mississauga are not meeting the recommended benchmarks for good diabetes care. These findings were similar to those in the rest of Ontario.

While these numbers are concerning, the Network for Healthy Populations is collaborating with government, community partners and academic researchers to develop programs and policies that could help stem the tide of diabetes in Peel.

“This report gives us a good sense of where we are right now in Peel Region. It also gives us an opportunity to work together with our partners to develop interventions that will improve the health of everyone in this community,” says Lipscombe, “Having these data allows us to target efforts to make healthy options and needed medical care easier for residents to access. We can look for ways to decrease major barriers to good health caused by poverty, housing insecurity and food insecurity. The numbers right now are jarring, but they can also motivate us to act.”

The Network for Healthy Populations is currently funding several research programs at the University of Toronto’s Mississauga campus that involve direct collaboration with Peel Region community partners in order to support this needed change. The hope is that by partnering academic experts with those living and working in the region, new and innovative solutions can be tested.

Read the full report here

About the Novo Nordisk Network for Healthy Populations at the University of Toronto

With the world facing rising rates of chronic conditions like diabetes, the Novo Nordisk Network for Healthy Populations at the University of Toronto unites world-leading researchers and students at U of T with patients, clinicians, community members, policymakers, and city planners in Peel to co-create solutions that will make populations healthier in an effective, feasible, sustainable, and equitable way. Based at U of T Mississauga, the Network’s scalable solutions are meant to have impact globally as more cities adopt and adapt these for their own contexts. Ultimately, the Network aims to discover, implement, and validate feasible, equitable, and sustainable solutions that can make cities around the world healthier places to live — for all of their residents.

For more information:

Krista Lamb Communications: kristalamb@gmail.com

Network for Healthy Populations: director.novonordiskhp@utoronto.ca

Quotes from partners and community organizations about the report:

"The numbers presented in this report are a stark reminder of why my commitment to supporting people living with diabetes, and reducing the risk for type 2 diabetes is so important. As the Chair of the All Party Diabetes Caucus, I helped develop the Private Members Bill that led to the creation of a National Framework for Diabetes. This is a step toward our goal of a healthier Canada. To continue this forward momentum, governments, communities and academics must work together to develop effective ways to change the trajectory of this devastating disease. To improve the health of the people of Brampton and everyone in Canada, we need to look at these findings as a call to action to find new and innovative solutions to reduce type 2 diabetes risk."

-Sonia Sidhu, MP for Brampton South

"At The Regional Diversity Roundtable (RDR), the only umbrella organization supporting the region and its cross-sectoral services, in the areas of Anti-Racism, Anti-Oppression, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ARAO-DEI), we echo the stark findings revealed by the Network for Healthy Populations in the research, and highlight the findings on diabetes.  RDR strongly acknowledges the fact that racialized communities and those facing socio-economic challenges in Peel Region bear a disproportionate burden of the diabetes disease. The same group of people are also experiencing barriers to accessing timely and high-quality healthcare services. The research finding proves the correlation among inequities, racialization, and health disparities within Peel. Addressing these disparities requires intentional and comprehensive efforts to challenge discriminatory practices and implicit bias, dismantle systemic barriers, and ensure equitable access to resources and healthcare services for all residents of Peel Region. Collective action is needed to address this environmental, health and service inadequacies to ensure lasting supports and sustainable healthy community. Peel needs and deserves no less. RDR is ready, are you??"

- Varsha Naik, Executive Director and Team of Regional Diversity Roundtable of Peel

"This valuable report shows us that we desperately need culturally responsive care in Peel.  We need to meet individuals and their families along their journey of health and wellbeing and we need to truly understand the barriers to care that clearly exist within the communities we are in.  We also need to collectively hold those accountable for ignoring the social determinants of health and promoting systemic discrimination when creating strategies and interventions. We can only move forward if we move forward together which means accepting and addressing the systemic inequalities that exist within our social and healthcare systems."

-Gurpreet Malhorta, Indus Community Services, CEO

"This is a great document providing some in depth and useful data on diabetes in the region which can help us to seek solutions to reduce this burden on families and communities. As we conduct more research including participants with lived experience we are learning more and more about the causes of the escalating rates of this disease. We look forward to continuing this work."

-Angela Carter, Roots Community Services, Advisor of Strategic Initiatives

"The rising rates of type 2 diabetes in Peel region is alarming. This report provides an updated snapshot of how our neighbourhoods influence health, especially the health of those at higher risk of developing diabetes. The disproportionately elevated risk of diabetes among racialized groups is particularly problematic, given Peel's diversity.  While Peel Public Health has worked with local partners to make some improvements, more is required.  Together, with our partners, we will use the report findings to identify and apply health promoting solutions to communities that need it most so that we can reduce the burden of diabetes."

-Paul Sharma, Region of Peel Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention, Director

“The City of Mississauga is pleased to be collaborating with the University of Toronto Mississauga Novo Nordisk Network for Healthy Populations in developing a Diabetes Healthy City Strategy for Mississauga. The Network for Healthy Population’s data as presented in their Current State of Type 2 Diabetes in the Peel Region Report provides critical evidence to inform our strategy.  Through the Network for Heathy Population’s work, we have a better understanding of the complexity of Type 2 Diabetes in our community and how the many overlapping risk factors, such as the built environment and social structures, have an impact. As a municipality, we have an opportunity to influence where and how people live. This research has been a catalyst to shape our work and set the foundation for our future work to build a healthier city.”

-Ruth Marland, City of Mississauga, Strategic Leader of Engagement

“The alarming rise in diabetes prevalence within Peel Region, exacerbated by environmental disparities and inequities, underscores the urgent need for comprehensive policy measures and healthcare improvements.  Diabetes Canada understands the impact this report presents and how it shines a light on the quick and timely access needed for proper supports for the people living with diabetes.”

- Glenn Thibeault, Diabetes Canada, Executive Director, Government Affairs, Advocacy & Policy

"This report showcases the impact type 2 diabetes is having on the Region of Peel and the importance of working with the community to improve outcomes and reduce inequities. Patient partnership is an essential part of this process, and Diabetes Action Canada is pleased that people with lived experience contributed to the development of this report, and will contribute to the process of finding meaningful solutions."

- Tracy McQuire, Executive Director, Diabetes Action Canada