World Diabetes Day

Every year on November 14, Canada observes World Diabetes Day. It was first started in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation to raise awareness while honouring the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, one of the co-discoverers of insulin with Charles Best. 

More than 100 years after the discovery of insulin in Canada, let’s take a look at what the latest data tell us about diabetes today. 

Diabetes is a disease that affects the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar levels, risking damage to other organs in the body when left uncontrolled. 

In 2025, almost 2.9 million Canadian adults reported a diagnosis of diabetes. In addition, an estimated 1.9% of the population is thought to be undiagnosed. 

In 2024, diabetes was one of the top 10 leading causes of death in Canada, accounting for 2.1% of deaths. It trailed behind other serious conditions such as diseases of the heart (17.7%), stroke (4.2%), and chronic lower respiratory disease (4.0%). 

It is one of the fastest-growing health challenges around the world—however, it can be effectively managed when diagnosed and treated early. 

The Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) is conducted nationally every two years and collects data used as health indicators for Canadians ranging in age from 1 to 79. 

The CHMS also measures two blood biomarkers: fasting blood glucose levels and glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), both of which can be used to diagnose diabetes and prediabetes in a patient. Fasting blood glucose shows the amount of glucose in the blood at a certain point in time, whereas HbA1c is taken as an overall measurement that reflects the average blood glucose levels in the previous three months. 

Fasting blood glucose levels under 6.0 millimoles per litre (mmol/L) and HbA1c levels under 6.0% are considered optimal for health. From 2022 to 2024, the average fasting blood glucose level among adults aged 20 to 79 was 5.6 mmol/L and the average HbA1c was 5.4%—both within the optimal ranges. 

Average fasting and blood glucose and HbA1c levels have remained relatively stable since last measured in 2018/2019. However, diabetes and prediabetes continue to affect many Canadian adults.

During the period from 2022 to 2024, more than two-thirds of Canadian adults aged 18 to 79 had a body mass index (BMI) classified as overweight (34.9%) or as having obesity (33.4%).

The BMI assesses a person’s height and weight to quickly categorize a person’s mass within a certain health range. It is an imperfect measure: BMI does not directly measure body fat and can misrepresent health risks by failing to account for differences in body composition, such as muscle mass. However, being classified as overweight or as having obesity based on BMI has generally been linked to a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes and other chronic health conditions.

Abdominal obesity is another risk factor that, in conjunction with BMI, may be a more reliable gauge of weight-related health risks.

The waist circumference is measured as an indicator of abdominal obesity, or the level of fat located around the midsection. During the period from 2022 to 2024, nearly half of adults aged 18 to 79 (49%) had a waist circumference above the threshold for abdominal obesity. When separated by BMI and sex, among those in the overweight category, 26% of men and 64% of women had a high waist circumference. At the highest BMI category, 92% of men and 99% of women surpassed the waist circumference thresholds.

Some factors that we cannot change—such as the effects of age, genetics, and family history—can influence an individual’s risk for diabetes. However, there are other factors that can be mitigated. For instance, enjoyable ways to stay active, eating nutritious foods, and taking medication as prescribed can all play an important role in maintaining good health. 

The CHMS will be releasing updated data featuring diabetic medication use on November 24.