Conference Coverage: 2022 Chronic Disease at Work
On Feb. 8-9, Benefits Canada hosted the annual Chronic Disease at Work conference, this year in a virtual format. The event explored what chronic disease looks like in 2022, including sessions on topics such as diabetes, musculoskeletal disabilities, psoriatic disease, obesity and much more.
Here’s what you missed:
Canadian Headache Society and chair of Migraine Canada
Supporting employees with education, access to effective migraine medications
A migraine attack is much more severe than a headache because it comes with a lot of other symptoms, according to Dr. Elizabeth Leroux, a neurologist, president of the Canadian Headache Society and chair of Migraine Canada, speaking during a session supported by Abbvie at Benefits Canada‘s Chronic Disease at Work event in February.
This session was made possible by AbbVie.
Lupus Canada
What plan sponsors need to know about employees living with lupus
Lupus, a chronic but “invisible” autoimmune disease with no cure, is a life-altering diagnosis that impacts all areas of patients’ lives, including their work performance.
This session was made possible by AstraZeneca.
Medtronic
Diabetes technology and living well with type 1 diabetes
“Diabetes is a disease that you do not see from the outside,” said Kayla O’Connell, who lives with type 1 diabetes and is a sales support associate at Medtronic, during a session at Benefits Canada‘s Chronic Disease at Work event in February.
Eli Lilly Canada Inc.
Tackling type 2 diabetes more than just managing glucose levels
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic, progressive disease characterized by the body’s resistance to the effect of insulin and, over time, the gradual loss of the pancreas’ ability to produce insulin, according to Dr. Donna Mojdami, a clinical research physician in diabetes at Eli Lilly Canada, speaking during a session at Benefits Canada‘s Chronic Disease at Work event in February.
Canadian Chiropractic Association
A look at how chiropractors can be workplace wellness partners
The burden of musculoskeletal disease has had a significant impact on the lives of Canadians at home and at work, said Alison Dantas, chief executive officer at Canadian Chiropractic Association during Benefits Canada‘s 2022 Chronic Disease at Work event in February.
Sun Life
Focusing on prevention, support for employees with musculoskeletal disabilities
Musculoskeletal issues have a far-reaching impact on the mental, physical and emotional wellness of benefits plan members and their families — however, they also come at a cost to plan sponsors.
Chronically Simple
Employees with chronic diseases, caregiver responsibilities often shouldering invisible burden
This session explored real life examples of employees who are doing all that they can to succeed in their jobs by leveraging tools and resources provided by their employer to manage the complexities of their own health as well as the health and wellbeing of their families.
University of Manitoba
The importance of early intervention for employees with multiple sclerosis
People living with multiple sclerosis can continue to thrive in the workforce with early access to specialists in the disease and accommodations that give them control over their work environment.
This session was made possible by Biogen Canada.
Kate Lee
Crohn’s and Colitis Canada
Marie-Josée (MJ) Lafleur
IBD patient advocate
How benefits plans can help manage inflammatory bowel disease
The majority of IBD patients don’t have advanced, complex forms of the disease, but the key to maintaining that statistic is through early diagnosis and access to advanced treatment options that help patients manage it, said Kate Lee (pictured left), vice-president of research and patient programs at Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, during Benefits Canada’s 2022 Chronic Disease at Work conference in February.
This session was made possible by Takeda Canada.
Rachael Manion
Canadian Association of Psoriasis Patients and the Canadian Skin Patient Alliance
Antonella Scali
Canadian Psoriasis Network
Why it’s essential to provide multiple treatments for psoriatic disease
While about a million Canadians live with psoriasis, one in three will go on to develop psoriatic arthritis, said Rachael Manion, executive director of the Canadian Association of Psoriasis Patients and the Canadian Skin Patient Alliance, during a session supported by UCB Canada Inc. at Benefits Canada‘s 2022 Chronic Disease at Work event in February.
This session was made possible by UCB.
Laurie Proulx
Canadian Arthritis Patient Alliance
Rachael Manion
Canadian Association of Psoriasis Patients and the Canadian Skin Patient Alliance
How can employers support women with inflammatory arthritis, psoriasis?
Women who develop inflammatory arthritis or psoriasis often do so in the prime of their lives, leaving them with concerns related to their reproductive and sexual health. But they struggle to find support in their employer-sponsored benefits plans.
This session was made possible by UCB.
Obesity Canada
Update benefits plans, workplace policies to treat obesity like any chronic disease
Some 8.4 million adult Canadians adults live with obesity and severe obesity has increased 455 per cent since 1985, according to Dr. Mary Forhan (pictured left), scientific director-elect of Obesity Canada, during a session supported by Desjardins Insurance at Benefits Canada‘s 2022 Chronic Disease at Work event in February.
This session was made possible by Desjardins Insurance.
Carepath Inc.
Exploring the link between chronic physical, mental-health conditions
Chronic physical health conditions and anxiety and mood disorders are frequently co-morbid conditions, so it’s important for employers to understand the link and how to support staff in the workplace, said Deborah McLeod, clinical director at Carepath Inc., during Benefits Canada’s 2022 Chronic Disease at Work conference in February.
Sponsors
To view highlights from the 2021 Chronic Disease at Work, click here.