TORONTO - Ontario's Ministry of Health predicts 1.2 million people in the province will have diabetes by 2010, more than double the figure from the year 2000.
Health Minister George Smitherman cautions that the numbers are only estimates, but says nearly 10 per cent of the Ontario population will have diabetes within two years.
Smitherman says the doubling of the diabetes rate in just one decade is "stunning," but not unique to Ontario.
He calls the numbers "shocking," but says they reflect the global trend in diabetes.
Ontario will start a diabetes registry this year to find out exactly how many people are suffering with the disease and get them appropriate supports.
Smitherman says the rising numbers also provide a chance to lower health care costs down the line by getting diabetics the treatment they need sooner.
He says the goal is to prevent diabetes where it's behaviour related, and to help other diabetics better manage their disease so it doesn't lead to other complications.
"Diabetes is linked, it's a co-morbidity, with most of the most expensive things that health care can provide," said Smitherman. "The diabetes burden in our society is extraordinary, and you're going to see a huge focus on this in the next few months."
