Comparing Diabetes Care Across Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario

Chronic diseases, particularly diabetes, present significant challenges to individuals and healthcare systems across Canada. As the leading cause of kidney disease, effective diabetes management is crucial (National Kidney Foundation, n.d.). This blog explores diabetes care in Alberta, British Columbia (BC), and Ontario, highlighting regional differences in prevalence, healthcare funding, and support programs, and identifying opportunities for improvement in diabetes prevention and management strategies.  

Diabetes Prevalence in Alberta, BC, and Ontario 

Diagnosed diabetes prevalence is relatively consistent across these provinces however, Ontario has the highest overall burden of diagnoses and undiagnosed.  

Risk Factors 

Across all three provinces, key risk factors remain consistent: 

• Indigenous Populations: First Nations, Métis, and Inuit adults experience significantly higher diabetes prevalence. In Alberta, First Nations adults living off-reserve are 1.72 times more likely to have diabetes (Diabetes Canada, n.d.-a). 

• Ethnic Minorities: South Asians (16%), Black adults (13.3%), and Arab/West Asians (12.5%) have higher diabetes rates than the general population (Diabetes Canada n.d.,-a). 

• Socioeconomic Status: Lower-income and lower-education populations have 2.1 times the diabetes prevalence compared to higher-income individuals (Diabetes Canada n.d.,-a) 

• Obesity & Sedentary Lifestyles: High rates of physical inactivity (42% in Alberta), obesity (35%), and poor diet (80% not consuming enough fruits and vegetables) increase diabetes risks (Diabetes Canada n.d.,-a). 

Key Differences 

While the provinces share similar risk factors, there are key differences in diabetes prevalence between rural and urban areas. In Alberta and BC, rural communities experience higher diabetes rates due to limited healthcare access (Diabetes Canada, n.d.-a, n.d.-b, n.d.-c). In contrast, Ontario's larger urban population benefits from greater access to specialists, though rural areas still face significant challenges in managing the disease (Diabetes Canada, n.d.-a, n.d.-b, n.d.-c).

Primary Care Networks (PCNs) & Diabetes Clinics 

Each province relies on interdisciplinary healthcare models to prevent and manage diabetes. 

Key Differences: 

• Alberta relies more on PCNs, though some patients still face gaps in specialist referrals (Government of Alberta, 2023). 

• Ontario provides more community-based diabetes education programs through free self-management workshops and Diabetes Passports (Government of Ontario, 2025). 

• BC has a slightly stronger interdisciplinary approach, ensuring more access to pharmacists and diabetes educators (Government of British Columbia, 2023). 

Diabetes Funding & Out-of-Pocket Costs 

One of the biggest differences across provinces is funding for diabetes management. 

Key Differences: 

• BC has the most comprehensive coverage for diabetes supplies through PharmaCare, which funds Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGMs), insulin, and foot care without significant out-of-pocket costs (Diabetes Canada, n.d.-a, n.d.-b, n.d.-c). 

• Ontario has broad CGM coverage through the Ontario Health Insurance Plan, but higher personal financial burden with up to 17% of household income for diabetes care (Diabetes Canada, n.d.-a, n.d.-b, n.d.-c). 

• Alberta’s coverage is more limited, particularly for CGMs, leading to higher patient expenses unless they have private insurance (Diabetes Canada, n.d.-a, n.d.-b, n.d.-c). 

Conclusion & Recommendations

While Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario share similar diabetes care frameworks, key differences in funding, access to technology, and specialized care models create variations in patient outcomes. Alberta faces higher out-of-pocket costs for diabetes care than BC and offers less public funding for CGMs and insulin pumps. Meanwhile, Ontario provides broad CGM coverage through Ontario Health Insurance Plan, but patients still bear a higher personal financial burden, with some spending up to 17% of their household income on diabetes management (Diabetes Canada, n.d.-c). British Columbia leads the way in comprehensive funding for diabetes supplies and preventative care, which has contributed to lower diabetes-related amputation rates compared to Alberta and Ontario (Diabetes Canada, n.d.-a, n.d.-b, n.d.-c). To improve diabetes outcomes, Alberta and Ontario should consider expanding public funding for CGMs, insulin pumps, and foot care services, aligning with BC’s PharmaCare model to reduce patient expenses and enhance self-management. Additionally, investing in rural telemedicine programs could help close healthcare gaps, ensuring that patients outside urban centres receive continuous, specialist-led diabetes care (Diabetes Canada, n.d.-a, n.d.-b, n.d.-c). Alberta and BC could also adopt community-based education initiatives, similar to Ontario’s Diabetes Passport and free self-management workshops, to empower individuals with the tools they need to manage their condition effectively (Diabetes Canada, n.d.-a, n.d.-b, n.d.-c). By incorporating these strategies, Alberta, BC, and Ontario can enhance diabetes prevention, reduce complications, and improve overall health outcomes for its population.