Peel Public Health addresses increase in diabetes through a focus on prevention

BRAMPTON, Ont. – April 25, 2025. In Peel, one in six adults is living with diabetes. This is higher than the provincial average, and rates are expected to keep rising.

Data projects 100,000 new cases of diabetes in Peel region between 2020 and 2030. To address this, Peel Public Health (PPH) is prioritizing the reduction in risk factors that contribute to the development of chronic diseases like diabetes.

Peel Public Health focuses on delivering programs and services that encourage residents to adopt healthy lifestyle choices that can help prevent type 2 diabetes.

Enabling active living and healthy eating is a key priority for Peel Public Health. By working with families, schools, local government and community organizations, we can help create places where healthy food is available, active living is promoted and residents are supported throughout every stage of their lives.

Some of the programs and partnerships that support this goal include:  

• Healthy early years: The infant feeding program supports families through hands-on, in-person education or telephone counselling from public health nurses.
• Healthy schools: Through partnerships with local school boards and schools, Peel Public Health offers programs like Playground Activity Leaders in Schools (PALS) to encourage physical activity in school-age children.
• Healthy communities: Through partnerships with local faith leaders, we are increasing access to healthier food and opportunities for active living by creating supportive environments within places of worship. We are also working with university researchers to understand and explore the use of AI in public health, including diabetes prevention.  

Peel Public Health will continue to approach community health and well-being through community, municipal and internal partnerships that support residents in reducing their risk factors for diabetes and other chronic diseases.

To learn more about Peel’s approach to healthy communities, visit our website, and for more information on diabetes in Peel, please see the April 24 council report.