Diabetes continues to be a growing public health concern in Canada, and recent data highlights how age plays a significant role in the prevalence of diabetes among women. Based on data from 1990 to 2022, diabetes rates have steadily increased, particularly in older age groups. This analysis provides insight into age-related trends that public health agencies and healthcare providers can use to guide prevention and intervention strategies.
Age Is a Key Factor in Diabetes Risk
The dataset clearly shows that the prevalence of diabetes increases significantly with age:
- Among women aged 18–24, the prevalence stayed below 1% across the three decades.
- The rate rises gradually in the 30s and 40s, reaching around 4.8% by age 40–44 in 2022.
- A dramatic increase occurs past age 50, where diabetes rates escalate:
- 11.8% for women aged 55–59
- 13.7% for those 60–64
- 14.8% among women in the 65–74 age range
In women aged 75 and above, the prevalence reaches near or above 14%, peaking at around 27% in 1990 for the 85+ group, and though it has declined slightly since then, it remains high at 9.1% in 2022.
Long-Term Trends (1990–2022)
From 1990 to 2022:
- Diabetes prevalence among young adult women (18–29) remained relatively stable and low, reflecting fewer metabolic risks in this group.
- However, among women aged 50 and older, the data shows an overall increasing trend until around 2010, followed by a modest decline or plateau, suggesting public health interventions may have had some success.
Implications for Public Health in Canada
These statistics underscore the need for:
- Preventive screening for women starting in their 40s
- Health education and lifestyle modification programs
- Increased support for older women at risk of type 2 diabetes
Given the aging population in Canada, the burden of diabetes will continue to grow unless strategies are expanded to address older demographics more aggressively.
Proportion of Women in Canada with Diabetes:
| Year | 18-19 | 20-24 | 25-29 | 30-34 | 35-39 | 40-44 | 45-49 | 50-54 | 55-59 | 60-64 | 65-69 | 70-74 | 75-79 | 80-84 | 85plus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 1.1 | 1.5 | 2.2 | 2.9 | 3.8 | 4.9 | 6.5 | 8.7 | 11.4 | 14 | 16.2 | 18.1 | 20 | 22.4 | 27 |
| 1991 | 1.1 | 1.5 | 2.1 | 2.9 | 3.8 | 5 | 6.6 | 8.9 | 11.6 | 14.2 | 16.3 | 18.2 | 20 | 22.3 | 26.5 |
| 1992 | 1.1 | 1.5 | 2.1 | 2.9 | 3.8 | 5 | 6.7 | 9 | 11.7 | 14.3 | 16.5 | 18.3 | 20 | 22.1 | 25.9 |
| 1993 | 1 | 1.4 | 2.1 | 2.9 | 3.8 | 5 | 6.8 | 9.1 | 11.8 | 14.4 | 16.5 | 18.3 | 19.9 | 21.8 | 25.3 |
| 1994 | 1 | 1.4 | 2 | 2.8 | 3.8 | 5.1 | 6.8 | 9.1 | 11.9 | 14.4 | 16.5 | 18.2 | 19.7 | 21.5 | 24.6 |
| 1995 | 0.9 | 1.3 | 2 | 2.8 | 3.8 | 5 | 6.8 | 9.1 | 11.8 | 14.4 | 16.4 | 18.1 | 19.5 | 21 | 23.8 |
| 1996 | 0.9 | 1.3 | 1.9 | 2.7 | 3.7 | 5 | 6.7 | 9.1 | 11.8 | 14.3 | 16.3 | 17.8 | 19.2 | 20.5 | 23 |
| 1997 | 0.8 | 1.2 | 1.8 | 2.6 | 3.6 | 4.9 | 6.7 | 9 | 11.7 | 14.1 | 16.1 | 17.6 | 18.8 | 20 | 22.1 |
| 1998 | 0.8 | 1.1 | 1.8 | 2.5 | 3.5 | 4.8 | 6.6 | 8.9 | 11.5 | 13.9 | 15.8 | 17.2 | 18.3 | 19.4 | 21.1 |
| 1999 | 0.7 | 1.1 | 1.7 | 2.5 | 3.4 | 4.7 | 6.5 | 8.8 | 11.3 | 13.7 | 15.6 | 16.9 | 17.9 | 18.8 | 20.2 |
| 2000 | 0.7 | 1 | 1.6 | 2.4 | 3.3 | 4.6 | 6.4 | 8.6 | 11.2 | 13.5 | 15.3 | 16.6 | 17.4 | 18.2 | 19.3 |
| 2001 | 0.6 | 0.9 | 1.5 | 2.3 | 3.3 | 4.5 | 6.3 | 8.5 | 11 | 13.3 | 15 | 16.2 | 17 | 17.6 | 18.4 |
| 2002 | 0.6 | 0.9 | 1.4 | 2.2 | 3.2 | 4.5 | 6.2 | 8.4 | 10.9 | 13.1 | 14.8 | 15.9 | 16.6 | 17 | 17.6 |
| 2003 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 1.4 | 2.1 | 3.1 | 4.4 | 6.1 | 8.3 | 10.7 | 12.9 | 14.6 | 15.7 | 16.2 | 16.5 | 16.8 |
| 2004 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 1.3 | 2.1 | 3 | 4.3 | 6 | 8.2 | 10.6 | 12.8 | 14.4 | 15.4 | 15.9 | 16 | 16 |
| 2005 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 1.3 | 2 | 3 | 4.3 | 6 | 8.2 | 10.5 | 12.7 | 14.2 | 15.2 | 15.6 | 15.6 | 15.4 |
| 2006 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 1.2 | 2 | 2.9 | 4.2 | 6 | 8.1 | 10.5 | 12.6 | 14.1 | 15 | 15.3 | 15.2 | 14.7 |
| 2007 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 1.2 | 1.9 | 2.9 | 4.2 | 5.9 | 8.1 | 10.4 | 12.5 | 14 | 14.8 | 15.1 | 14.8 | 14.1 |
| 2008 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 1.2 | 1.9 | 2.9 | 4.2 | 5.9 | 8.1 | 10.4 | 12.5 | 13.9 | 14.7 | 14.8 | 14.5 | 13.6 |
| 2009 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 1.8 | 2.8 | 4.1 | 5.9 | 8 | 10.4 | 12.4 | 13.8 | 14.5 | 14.6 | 14.1 | 13 |
| 2010 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 1.8 | 2.8 | 4.1 | 5.9 | 8 | 10.3 | 12.3 | 13.7 | 14.3 | 14.3 | 13.7 | 12.5 |
| 2011 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 1 | 1.7 | 2.7 | 4.1 | 5.8 | 8 | 10.2 | 12.2 | 13.5 | 14.1 | 14 | 13.4 | 11.9 |
| 2012 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 1 | 1.7 | 2.7 | 4 | 5.8 | 7.9 | 10.2 | 12.1 | 13.4 | 14 | 13.8 | 13 | 11.4 |
| 2013 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 1 | 1.7 | 2.7 | 4 | 5.8 | 7.9 | 10.1 | 12 | 13.3 | 13.8 | 13.6 | 12.7 | 11 |
| 2014 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 1 | 1.6 | 2.6 | 4 | 5.8 | 7.9 | 10.1 | 12 | 13.3 | 13.7 | 13.4 | 12.4 | 10.6 |
| 2015 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.9 | 1.6 | 2.6 | 4 | 5.8 | 8 | 10.2 | 12.1 | 13.3 | 13.7 | 13.3 | 12.2 | 10.2 |
| 2016 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.9 | 1.6 | 2.7 | 4.1 | 5.9 | 8.1 | 10.3 | 12.2 | 13.4 | 13.7 | 13.3 | 12.1 | 10 |
| 2017 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.9 | 1.6 | 2.7 | 4.2 | 6 | 8.3 | 10.5 | 12.4 | 13.5 | 13.8 | 13.3 | 12 | 9.7 |
| 2018 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 1 | 1.7 | 2.8 | 4.3 | 6.2 | 8.4 | 10.7 | 12.6 | 13.7 | 14 | 13.4 | 12 | 9.6 |
| 2019 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 1 | 1.7 | 2.8 | 4.4 | 6.4 | 8.7 | 11 | 12.8 | 14 | 14.2 | 13.5 | 12 | 9.4 |
| 2020 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 1 | 1.7 | 2.9 | 4.5 | 6.5 | 8.9 | 11.2 | 13.1 | 14.2 | 14.4 | 13.6 | 12 | 9.3 |
| 2021 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 1 | 1.8 | 3 | 4.6 | 6.8 | 9.1 | 11.5 | 13.4 | 14.5 | 14.6 | 13.7 | 12 | 9.2 |
| 2022 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 1 | 1.8 | 3.1 | 4.8 | 7 | 9.4 | 11.8 | 13.7 | 14.8 | 14.8 | 13.9 | 12.1 | 9.1 |
Source:
| Source Name: | The Lancet |
| Source Link: | https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(24)02317-1/fulltext |
| Release Date: | 2024 |
Recent Comments