While chronic disease is a persistent problem in the workplace, employers are missing key data illustrating how employees’ conditions are affecting their work, according to the 2018 Sanofi Canada health-care survey. However, the data around chronic disease is complex, noted one of the survey’s advisory board members. During the launch event for the survey in Toronto on Wednesday, […]
Health-care costs are projected to increase a whopping 130 per cent over the next eight years after a period of relatively flat growth, according to a study published by Mercer in 2017. One of the key drivers is rising drug costs, with expensive specialty medications and gene therapies making up the majority of new products in development. So […]
British Columbia is expanding treatment coverage for chronic hepatitis C to everyone in the province and has added a new drug to the province’s PharmaCare formulary. “In years past, a hepatitis C diagnosis was a stressful and lifelong struggle,” said Health Minister Adrian Dix, in a news release. “I’m pleased to share that, as of today, anyone […]
The Ontario government may be spending more than it needs to on generic drugs, according to the auditor general’s latest annual report. Auditor general Bonnie Lysyk tabled her 2017 annual report on Wednesday, which found the province doesn’t know whether it’s making any progress in fighting preventable chronic disease. It found total spending by Ontario’s public […]
Despite rising health-care costs, there’s a gap when it comes to seeing the results of all of that spending, according to a speaker at the recent Calgary Drug Trends Summit. “Although health-care costs are increasing, we have not seen a significant improvement in the health of Canadians,” said Dr. Doug Klein, an associate professor at […]
Medavie Blue Cross’ health foundation is providing a funding boost to an online program that aims to help Canadians reduce their risk of developing chronic disease. Medavie’s foundation is donating $750,000 over four years to Acceleration 2.0, a followup to the original program the insurer donated $75,000 to between 2013 and 2016. Speaking at the launch event for the second phase of […]
To combat the rise in chronic disease rates and the subsequent impact on the health-care system and benefits costs, there’s been a shift in thinking by employers, health professionals and benefits providers towards prevention rather than just treatment. “There is a sense of urgency for preventative measures,” said Derek Weir, manager of group benefits solutions at […]
With 3.4 million Canadians living with the disease, diabetes is taking a toll on Canadians and the country’s health system. In addition to the human toll, there’s a significant economic impact. The disease cost the Canadian health system $12.2 billion in 2010, a figure expected to rise to $16.9 billion by 2020. As well, Irene […]
Dr. Milan Gupta has a heartfelt message for plan sponsors, managers and employees: Cardiovascular disease is a problem, and it’s one that’s not going away any time soon. “Every seven minutes, a Canadian dies of [cardiovascular disease] and it is the leading cause of death in women. It kills more women than all cancers combined,” […]
With four out of five Canadians having at least one modifiable risk for a chronic disease, organizations need to place the same importance and resources on improving employee health as they do on ensuring safety, a speaker told Benefits Canada’s Healthy Outcomes conference in June. “Over the past 100 years, vaccines, clean running water and […]