May 5, 2020
As COVID-19 continues to dominate global headlines, the journey to #AccessForAll remains. In fact, within a few short months, the investment into virtual healthcare and digital health technologies has become even more of a priority for provincial healthcare systems across the country. Patients and doctors are still finding a way to connect without having to meet in person, and that is becoming our new normal in light of the current pandemic.
When the dust settles and provinces start to open up again, virtual care will still be a viable option that will reduce hallway healthcare, save considerable resources, and be a convenient option for patients and doctors alike. In order to roll out virtual care successfully, and more permanently, considerable investments in digital health technologies such as Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) and Flash Glucose Montoring (FGM) need to be made, and every patient who desires one should be able to have access through public coverage.
Our #AccessForAll campaign is working towards ensuring that every Canadian living with type 1 diabetes has access to affordable technology. CGM and FGM technologies represent an evolution in the self-management of the disease because they provide richer, more accurate and more timely data to doctors and patients about fluctuations in blood glucose and time in range. This rich data promises to revolutionize how health care teams interact with and guide patients, leading to better diabetes management over the long-term. More and better data means better decision-making for patients, which ultimately leads to better self-management of their disease. As a result, we will undoubtedly see substantial improvements to healthcare in the form of reduced hospitalizations, emergency room visits, and longer-term issues such as amputations, heart disease, stroke and kidney complications.
CGM and FGM have already been game changers for the type 1 diabetes community – they are already helping people live safer, easier and healthier. Unfortunately, they still largely remain unaffordable and inaccessible, especially for those who need it most.
JDRF continues to mobilize our #AccessforAll campaign, and we need your help to tell your provincial representative this story, in light of the new situation we find ourselves in with COVID-19. To support the campaign, take a few minutes to send a message to your representative, and you will be voicing important concerns in response to a new era of healthcare. Send a message today!
