Life Sciences Ontario (LSO), in collaboration with Diabetes Canada and the Health Charities Coalition of Canada (HCCC), has developed a comprehensive vision paper titled “Going Upstream: Toward an Ontario Chronic Disease Strategy, Starting with Diabetes.” This landmark document outlines practical, feasible recommendations for immediate action and long-term transformation.
“The vision outlined in this paper is not just about providing more money to help fight chronic diseases. It is about thinking and doing things differently, starting with some immediate actions related to Ontarians with diabetes and then, for the longer-term, focusing on three key pillars of the chronic disease landscape: prevent, mitigate and manage.“
-Dr. Jason Field, President and CEO, Life Sciences Ontario
Read the Complete Vision Paper Now!
Ontario stands at a critical crossroads. Our healthcare system, designed in the 1960s to address acute medical needs, now faces an unprecedented challenge: the rising tide of chronic disease affecting millions of residents.
The numbers tell a compelling story. Today, 1.7 million Ontarians live with diabetes—the most prevalent chronic condition—and this number is projected to surge to 2.3 million by 2034. Among Canadians aged 65 and older, a staggering 73% are affected by at least one chronic disease, placing tremendous strain on a system never designed to handle such persistent, complex conditions.
We must act now to prevent overwhelming our healthcare system that was not created to handle cascade of chronic diseases.
“More than one in every seven Ontarians has been diagnosed with diabetes, which has huge ramifications for our health system. This paper shows the types of actions that can and must be taken to do things better and improve the health and well-being of Ontarians with diabetes and ultimately those with other chronic diseases.”
“Now more than ever patients living with chronic disease need solutions that will meet their immediate and long-term concerns. This vision paper provides recommendations for moving forward with an Ontario chronic disease strategy that focuses on preventing, mitigating and managing chronic diseases.”
Press Release announcing launch of Vision Paper
Op-ed by Jason Field, President & CEO, LSO
This paper has been developed by Life Sciences Ontario in partnership with Diabetes Canada and Health Charities Coalition of Canada (HCCC) with financial support from Dexcom Canada, Co., Johnson & Johnson Canada, Novo Nordisk Canada Inc., Pfizer Canada ULC., Roche Canada, and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (Canada) Inc.
With Financial Support From:
