Access For All

What is Access For All?

Access For All aims to make type 1 diabetes (T1D) technology affordable and accessible for everyone living with this disease. Given the financial, physical and mental health burden of living with T1D, this campaign also works to improve access to:

• financial supports (such as the Disability Tax Credit);
• new therapies and treatments; and
• more investments in T1D research (read our 2024 Federal Pre-Budget submission).

The goal of Access For All is to improve the lives of those living with this disease in every way possible.

Universal access to devices reduces overall healthcare costs and improves health outcomes

In 2022, Breakthrough T1D (then JDRF) commissioned a cost effectiveness study to demonstrate real quality of life value of diabetes technologies. The study aimed to determine if there a financial benefit to governments providing access to diabetes devices like advanced glucose monitors.

The study demonstrated that funding advanced glucose monitors is more cost-effective compared to traditional finger-prick methods, and while the cost of funding CGM and Flash GMs are higher in the near-term, they generate significant long-term cost savings due to lower costs of complications, potential hospitalization, and additional medical interventions.

We also know that these devices bring users greater peace of mind and provides more accurate blood glucose measurements than finger prick measurements. T1D self-management is made easier through technologies that provide real-time readings. It helps to improve overall blood glucose (HbA1C) and time in target range (TIR).

Better self-management and glucose control also help to relieve some of the anxiety that come with living with a chronic disease. It allows people with T1D to better plan exercise, meals, and rest and greatly improves overall quality of life, include mental and psychosocial health.

Universal access to devices helps mediate socioeconomic status 

A study published December 2022 by Joshua R Stanley, Antoine B M Clarke, Rayzel Shulman, and Farid H Mahmud examined the relationship between socioeconomic status and T1D management, and whether device access could mediate these effects.  

The study concluded that insulin pump and CGM use partially mediated the significant discrepancies observed with socioeconomic status and glycemic management, highlighting potential benefits of broader access to these technologies to improve diabetes outcomes, and also help mitigate the negative impact of deprivation on diabetes management, 

Read more: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36409503/

Out-of-pocket costs represents a significant financial burden for T1D Canadians

A report published by Diabetes Canada offered insight into the out-of-pocket costs (costs assessed after reimbursement by public insurance programs) associated to managing T1D for Canadians across the country in 2022. While the share of out-of-pocket costs covered by governments varies from a low of 0% to a high of 100%, it was found by this report that over half of all persons living with T1D either experience out-of-pocket costs in excess of 3% of their family income or, given other financial burdens and lack of resources, fail to adhere to the treatment recommended by their doctor.

Costs associated with managing T1D:

• In certain parts of Canada, out-of-pocket costs can be as high as $18,306 per year for people with T1D.
• Average out-of-pocket costs, as a share of family income, fall with the level of household income and are highest for adults with family income of $30,000 using insulin pumps and CGM, where they account for 20% of family income.
• Costs as a share of family income are highest in:
  • Prince Edward Island where they can account for up to 20% of income for adults and seniors with family income of $30,000 or more using an insulin pump and finger prick testing;
  • And Quebec for adults with income of $30,000 or more also using an insulin pump and finger prick testing.

Read more: Diabetes.ca/Advocacy Reports/Diabetes-Canada-2022-Out-Of-Pocket-Report-EN-FINAL.pdf

Breakthrough T1D believes in patient choice and universal access. Together, with volunteers and advocates from the type 1 diabetes community we will continue to advocate all levels of government to ensure affordability, greater access and improved overall health outcomes for people living with T1D today, while we advance the most promising research into cures tomorrow.