Between 2019 and 2023, chronic disease drug claims increased much faster among younger plan members compared to older generations, according to a new report by Sun Life.
The report, which analyzed drug claims data of more than 3 million plan members over a five-year period, found across all age groups, nearly half (45.1 per cent) of all Canadians live with at least one major chronic disease. Diabetes was the fastest-growing chronic disease, with claims increasing by roughly 30 per cent between 2019 and 2023.
However, claims for diabetes drugs grew two- to four-times faster among plan members aged 30 and younger, compared to those aged 30 to 60. Claims for high blood pressure and asthma also grew at much higher rates among those younger than age 30. Notably, claims for diabetes and high blood pressure among younger women significantly outpaced younger men.
Read: Chronic disease, drug claims driving benefits plan costs: report
Diabetes is now the second-highest drug spend category and one of the fastest growing, said the report, noting employees with diabetes are absent two to 10 days more per year than those without diabetes. Indeed, it’s a comorbidity seen across many types of disability claims, including 20 per cent of long-term disability claims.
While claims for chronic disease drugs were higher among men, women’s claims for diabetes drugs grew 40 per cent faster than men. Type 2 diabetes rates were three- to seven-times higher for individuals living with obesity. More than three-quarters (78 per cent) of men and 65 per cent of women with high blood pressure are overweight or living with obesity. Adults living with obesity are more than 50 per cent more likely to have asthma than adults who aren’t overweight.
The report also analyzed claims data from more than 13,000 women aged 40 and older who began menopause hormone therapy, and found claims for heart disease and diabetes increased significantly during the three years before they began therapy. Blood pressure drugs showed the strongest growth and the count for drugs to treat these conditions remained significantly higher after three years compared with the initial level six years earlier.
“This report and these alarming numbers should be a wake-up call,” said Marie-Chantal Côté, senior vice-president of group benefits at Sun Life, in a press release. “From absenteeism to disability, chronic disease costs the economy billions each year. That’s why empowering Canadians to take charge of their health is more important than ever.”
Read: 2024 HOC: Addressing growing chronic disease burden with preventative health solutions