Part of the Department of Health and Society Research Seminar Series
The prevalence of type 2 diabetes in Canada has plateaued in recent years but is expected to increase sharply following the COVID 19 pandemic. Dr. Fazli used administrative health care databases to examine monthly changes in diabetes screening during the pandemic March 2020 February 2021) compared to the pre pandemic period March 2020 February 2021) among adults aged 20-85 without prior diabetes, in Ontario.
Based on preliminary results, a sudden decline (25-65%) was observed in diabetes screening, which varied across different age and income groups. This timely research will help us understand whether the pandemic will accelerate diabetes risk and how we can respond more effectively to prevent the adverse impacts of this and future pandemics on metabolic health through policy interventions.
