Chronic Disease at Work
February 8-9, 2022 | Virtual event
Feb. 8, 2022
11:00 – 11:30 AM
Migraine matters: Give your employees the tools they need to manage this neurological disorder
Migraine is more than a headache. It is a chemical and electrical brainstorm that stops people in their tracks, often leading to a huge loss of productivity during their most productive years. Migraine affects 12% of the Canadian population and chronic migraine, the most debilitating form, affects 1%. Major scientific advances now allow people living with migraine to gain back their lives. This session will teach attendees how to help employees manage migraine and how promoting a global approach could decrease absenteeism and disability, in addition to improving the quality of life of your workforce.
Speaker:
Dr. Elizabeth Leroux, neurologist, president of the Canadian Headache Society and chair of Migraine Canada
This session has been made possible by AbbVie.
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Understanding the burden of lupus in the workplace
Lupus is a debilitating disease that takes on average seven years to diagnose and affects mostly younger women in the workplace. Join this session to learn about lupus and its impact on the workplace population from a physical and mental health perspective, as well as some of the barriers in access to treatment today.
Speaker:
Leanne Mielczarek, executive director, Lupus Canada
This session has been made possible by AstraZeneca.
12:00 – 12:30 PM
Living well with type 1 diabetes – exploring the impact of technology and insulin automation in real life
While there is no cure for type 1 diabetes as of today, technology and innovation are fast helping ease some of the burden associated with living with type 1 diabetes. This discussion will delve into what life with type 1 diabetes is really like and meaningful difference automating insulin delivery; helping people with diabetes reclaim moments of their lives otherwise spent worrying about their glycemic levels. Join this informative session exploring diabetes fundamentals, day-to-day challenges and the capability and application of insulin automation.
Speakers:
Richard Jonkers, principal medical science advisor, Medtronic
Kayla O'Connell, sales support associate, Medtronic
12:30 – 12:45 PM
Break
12:45 – 1:15 PM
Tackling diabetes: A multifaceted approach
Type 2 diabetes is a complex, progressive disease with complications affecting more working age individuals than ever before. Tackling diabetes requires a multifaceted approach and can have short- and long-term impacts if not managed appropriately. This session will provide further insight into diabetes management, including existing treatment gaps and a shift in focus beyond glycemic control alone. We will discuss important opportunities to improve access and health for plan members with this chronic condition.
Speaker:
Dr. Donna Mojdami, clinical research physician, diabetes, Eli Lilly Canada Inc.
1:15 – 1:45 PM
The next wave and the need to build back better
2022 will be a year of rehabilitation and recovery for the 1.7 million Canadians who contracted COVID-19, but also the 60% of plan members who have been diagnosed with a chronic condition over the past year. More than ever, business relies on a healthy workforce, and back pain is the leading cause of disability and lost work time globally. Join the discussion on how to relieve and manage pain – helping ensure a healthy, active workforce.
Speaker:
Alison Dantas, chief executive officer, Canadian Chiropractic Association
1:45 – 2:15 PM
Musculoskeletal disabilities: Focusing on prevention and support
Musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders plague many workplaces and their plans. 20% of disability claims through Sun Life in 2020 were related to MSK issues. 40% of those claims affected the back and neck.1 Employees who lift, stand, sit or repeat movements are most at-risk. Healthcare workers, labourers, machine operators and clerical workers are prime examples.
Join this session to learn how to build a prevention strategy that can help you increase productivity, lower absence rates and support those on leave with a safe and sustainable return to work.
1Based on Sun Life disability claims data (2020).
Speakers:
Andrea Minaker, manager, client & partner engagement, Sun Life
Sue Praught, organizational health consultant, integrated health solutions, Sun Life
Feb. 9, 2022
11:00 – 11:30 AM
The “duck” employee – How to support chronically ill and caregiver employees in the pandemic workforce
Over half of your workforce is made up of chronically ill and caregiving employees and this number is only growing throughout the pandemic. The “duck” employees continue to produce and excel at work but are struggling to stay afloat with the additional burdens of navigating a complex illness and assuming the role of caregiver. This session will explore real life examples of employees who are doing all that they can to succeed in their jobs by leveraging tools and resources provided by their employer to manage the complexities of their own health as well as the health and wellbeing of their families. Join us to find out how employers and payers can adopt a new set of tools to proactively support today’s workforce.
Speaker:
Kristy Dickinson, founder and chief executive officer, Chronically Simple
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Multiple sclerosis: Understanding the impact & mitigation strategies
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, often progressive neurologic disorder that affects nearly 100,000 Canadians. Onset is typically when individuals are building families and during the peak period of work productivity. This session will review the impacts of MS, how co-morbid diseases such as depression may affect MS outcomes and potential mitigation strategies.
Speaker:
Dr. Ruth Ann Marrie, professor of medicine and community health sciences, University of Manitoba
This session has been made possible by Biogen.
12:00 – 12:30 PM
Defining inflammatory bowel disease – the importance of early intervention
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is commonly confused with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but the two are very different conditions. Join this session for an overview of IBD, how it affects Canadians and their employers and to hear a patient living with Crohn’s disease share her story.
Speakers:
Kate Lee, vice-president of research and patient programs, Crohn’s and Colitis Canada
Marie-Josée (MJ) Lafleur, IBD patient advocate
This session has been made possible by Takeda.
12:30 – 12:45 PM
Break
12:45 – 1:15 PM
Working It Out: Supporting people with psoriatic disease in the workplace
Recent survey findings from people living with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (psoriatic disease) tell us that private plans have significant opportunities to support their care, well-being and productivity in the workplace. Join this session to learn about how private plans and plan sponsors can improve access to care, treatments, supportive health services and mental health for people living with these chronic, episodic conditions.
Speakers:
Rachael Manion, executive director, Canadian Association of Psoriasis Patients and the Canadian Skin Patient Alliance
Antonella Scali, executive director, Canadian Psoriasis Network
This session has been made possible by UCB.
1:15 – 1:45 PM
Recruiting and retaining women+ in the workplace: Insights from women+ with inflammatory arthritis and rheumatic and psoriatic diseases
The onset and diagnosis of inflammatory arthritis, rheumatic and psoriatic diseases commonly affect people in the prime of their lives, often leaving them with a variety of reproductive and sexual health-related concerns related to contraception, family planning, parenting, menopause, pain and mental health. Join this session for insights from over 400 women+ across Canada about gaps in private coverage and changes that private plans can make to keep them healthy and engaged in the workplace.
Speakers:
Rachael Manion, executive director, Canadian Association of Psoriasis Patients and the Canadian Skin Patient Alliance
Laurie Proulx, vice-president, Canadian Arthritis Patient Alliance
This session has been made possible by UCB.
1:45 – 2:15 PM
Trends to watch in health and obesity for 2022
Everyone's lives are still being impacted by the pandemic - a key group that continues to be impacted are individuals living with chronic diseases, including obesity and obesity-related co-morbidities. Join this session to find out about how obesity care must be redefined in 2022 and where obesity prevention, treatment and rehabilitation trends are headed.
Speakers:
Dr. Mary Forhan, scientific director-elect, Obesity Canada
Dr. Ian Patton, director, advocacy and public engagement, Obesity Canada
Dr. Ximena Ramos Salas, director of research and policy consultant, Obesity Canada
This session has been made possible by Desjardins Insurance.
2:15 – 2:45 PM
The reciprocal relationship of chronic illness and mental health
Chronic illness affects about 40% of Canadians over 20 years of age, with one out of five reporting more than one condition. Mental illness is considered a chronic condition but is also a frequent co-morbid condition. Join this session to explore the myriad of ways that chronic illness affects mental health and the role that the workplace can play in ameliorating these effects.
Speaker:
Deborah McLeod, clinical director, Carepath Inc.
*Institute accredited CE credits will be offered for those who attend the full two-day conference.
