Understanding type 2 diabetes

November is Diabetes Awareness Month, marking the perfect time to highlight the symptoms and risk factors for type 2 diabetes. Millions of Canadians unknowingly meet the diagnostic criteria for diabetes or prediabetes due to subtle symptoms like frequent urination, unusual thirst or lack of energy. Fortunately, ongoing research is continually improving management and prevention.

Type 2 diabetes makes up the vast majority of diabetes diagnoses in Canada - between 90-95% of cases - and is often preventable. It is typically linked to lifestyle factors and can sometimes be managed through diet and exercise alone. In some cases, medication or insulin therapy is required.  

Risks of uncontrolled diabetes

Uncontrolled type 2 diabetes can lead to high blood sugar levels, increasing the risk of heart disease, eye damage, kidney issues, and nerve damage. Regular screening is essential to ensure effective treatment. 

Who should get tested?

The Canadian government recommends diabetes testing every three years for adults over 40, but those with higher risk factors should test earlier and more frequently. Key risk factors include:

• Prediabetes
• High Body Mass Index
• Family history of diabetes
• High blood pressure or cholesterol
• Lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption and a sedentary lifestyle

Type 2 diabetes is more prevalent among those of African, Arab, Asian, Hispanic, Indigenous or South Asian descent.

Accessing diabetes testing and care

Free diabetes testing is available through primary care providers, who can refer you to local laboratories. Members without a primary care provider can receive referrals from a virtual health care provider. Alternatively, appointments with a diabetes clinic can be scheduled through our Preferred Pharmacy Network, though additional costs may apply.

Get informed

Educate yourself and your members about diabetes symptoms, risks and treatment options. Take the  Public Health Agency of Canada’s diabetes risk questionnaire to understand your risk. Visit our Advice Centre for more information about preventing and managing type 2 diabetes.  

For more details about diabetes clinics or wellness sessions, contact us at healthandwellness@pac.bluecross.ca.

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Nondrug treatment for diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is becoming more common in Canada due to poor diet, sedentary lifestyles, and an aging population. Canadians living with type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes often struggle to make lasting health changes, especially due to the overwhelming and conflicting information online. Fortunately, there are effective, free options available that don’t require a prescription. 

Exercise

Exercise can help prevent or improve many conditions, including pre-diabetes and diabetes - and running a marathon is not required to see results. Just 30 minutes of walking a day can make a difference: get off the bus early, take the stairs, or walk to work to easily reach your goal and create healthy habits. If that feels like too much, try this approach: instead of focusing on 30 minutes of activity, aim to limit sitting and sleeping to 23.5 hours a day. Pair exercise with lifestyle changes to get the full health benefits.

Healthy eating

Food plays a crucial role in managing type 2 diabetes, but with so many new fad diets, it can be difficult to know where to start. Gaining the knowledge and confidence to create a personalized plan is essential. Learn the basics of meal planning, or reach out to HealthLink BC to connect with a dietician, free of charge.

LifestyleRx

LifestyleRx offers a free, physician-led program designed to help participants reduce insulin resistance, lower or eliminate medications, restore normal blood sugar and even reverse diabetes.

This 12-week, fully virtual program helps participants make sustainable changes in diet, sleep, exercise and stress management. It includes weekly group sessions, physician consultations, and video lessons to create lasting health improvements.

 Available to Canadians in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario, learn more at lifestylerx.io/pbc.

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Presenting the HER-BC study

A landmark study, HER-BC: Health and Economics Research on Midlife Women in British Columbia, revealed critical insights into the physical, mental, social and economic impacts of menopause for women in British Columbia (BC). Led by the Women’s Health Research Institute in partnership with the BC Women’s Health Foundation and Pacific Blue Cross, the study surveyed over 2,000 people aged 39-60. It found that 92 per cent of respondents experience moderate to extremely severe menopause symptoms, significantly affecting their health, work, and personal lives.

Key findings include:

• Workplace impact: 32 per cent reported that menopause symptoms affected their job, with 24 per cent missing work and nearly one in 10 turning down a promotion due to symptoms.
• Health care gaps: Many women sought care outside the traditional health system, spending an average of $900 annually on extended services like naturopathy and mental health support. Those with private insurance faced fewer out-of-pocket costs.
• Mental health: 41.2 per cent of respondents had a concurrent mental health condition, highlighting the need for better mental health support during menopause.
• Stigma and silence: Despite increasing public discussions, stigma remains a barrier, with many women reporting that their menopause symptoms were dismissed or misunderstood by healthcare providers.

Read the report findings to learn more about how you can proactively support your plan members to thrive in midlife.

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Financial wellness: simple steps to take control

Many Canadians are feeling increasingly worried about their finances, but with a solid financial plan, you can protect yourself from disruptions and unexpected costs.

Financial wellbeing includes financial literacy, habits, income, debt, and investments, all contributing to a more secure future.

Having a strong financial wellbeing strategy in place can be particularly important if a plan member needs to take short or long-term disability leave.

Members with Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) coverage can access financial wellness tips through Homewood, or by contacting an EFAP counsellor. The BC and Government of Canada websites also offer many free financial resources.

In addition to these resources, here are some key actions to share with your members to improve financial wellness:

• Educate yourself – learn the basics of personal finance.
• Create a budget – track income and expenses to identify areas for spending reduction.
• Build an emergency fund –save three to six months’ worth of living expenses for unexpected costs.
• Set financial goals – define clear, achievable financial goals to stay motivated.
• Save for retirement – start early and take advantage of employer-sponsored retirement plans.

Get to know one of our Managers, Eric!

Eric has been with the Work and Wellness department at Pacific Blue Cross since early 2021, initially as an Assistant Manager and now as a Manager. 

With a background in physiotherapy, Eric previously worked as a clinical kinesiologist in rehabilitative and return-to-work settings, supporting a diverse range of clients. From there, he transitioned into disability management.

With over 20 years of experience in return-to-work rehabilitation and disability claims management, Eric finds it rewarding to help individuals recover and successfully return to work while ensuring their financial security.  

Eric values a healthy work-life balance, which helps him manage both professional and personal stress. Outside of work, he enjoys snowboarding and camping, activities that allow him to recharge.