Funding targets type 2 diabetes prevention in high-risk communities and supports global health initiatives
Sun Life has announced an additional $1.53m in funding to combat diabetes, allocated through partnerships with various organizations.
This commitment includes $735,000 for a new partnership with Trillium Health Partners Foundation, $495,000 for a renewed partnership with the William Osler Health System Foundation (Osler Foundation), and $300,000 for an extended partnership with YMCA Three Rivers.
The initiatives aim to address rising rates of type 2 diabetes and improve prevention and management strategies for at-risk communities.
The $735,000 partnership with Trillium Health Partners Foundation, spanning three years, focuses on high-risk youth and families in Peel Region, particularly within South Asian, Black, African, and Caribbean communities.
The funding will support the Institute for Better Health (IBH) at Trillium Health Partners in providing health coaching and system navigation services to prevent type 2 diabetes.
Dave Jones, president of Sun Life Health, highlighted the urgency of addressing diabetes in Peel Region, which has one of the highest rates of type 2 diabetes in Canada.
“Diabetes is a growing health concern across Canada,” Jones said. “We're proud to be partnering with Trillium Health Partners Foundation and bridging the gap between access and support for those living with diabetes.”
Simone Harrington, vice-president at IBH, emphasized the program’s community-based approach, noting its focus on health equity.
The initiative, led by the Family and Child Health Initiative, will collaborate with six community organizations to provide tailored support for adolescents and their caregivers.
Sun Life is also renewing its commitment to two key initiatives:
- Osler Healthy Active Living Initiative: With $495,000 in funding over three years, this program provides free workshops led by health professionals to help participants prevent and manage type 2 diabetes through diet and exercise education.
- YMCA Three Rivers Diabetes Fit Program: Supported by a $300,000 commitment over three years, this 12-week initiative offers tools and education to encourage healthy lifestyles, promoting diabetes prevention and management.
Sun Life's global commitment to diabetes prevention extends beyond Canada. Since 2012, the company has allocated over $55m to address diabetes worldwide, focusing on vulnerable communities.
A recent BBC series features Sun Life's global initiatives that harness the power of sport to improve health outcomes.
The series includes two videos:
- Hoops + Health in Asia: This program revitalizes basketball courts and promotes active lifestyles in Indonesian communities, keeping youth engaged in healthy activities.
- Spirit North in Canada: The partnership with Spirit North highlights the role of traditional games and outdoor activities in supporting the health and development of Indigenous youth. Insights from a program leader of the Stoney Nakota Nation and Spirit North founder Beckie Scott, a former Olympian, are also featured.
These initiatives demonstrate Sun Life's efforts to prevent type 2 diabetes, support remission, and improve access to care globally.
