Community involvement is embedded in Novo Nordisk's history and values. It involves a respectful weighing of business interest against those of stakeholders and society, a balancing of short-term and long-term interest. Novo Nordisk's overall approach to community engagement is primarily focused on the company's main area of expertise, namely diabetes. Whether it is about supporting long-term sustainable health with their communities, Novo Nordisk is at the forefront of providing treatment and care for people with diabetes.
Novo Nordisk has been involved in changing diabetes care in Canada since 1984. Today, with more than 300 employees working across the country, our vision is to defeat diabetes by finding better methods of diabetes prevention, detection and treatment. The need has never been more clear.
More than 11 million Canadians are living with diabetes or prediabetes. Every hour of every day, 20 people are diagnosed with diabetes. The burden of the disease, both to the individual and the healthcare system, is growing. By 2020, 10% of Canadians will be living with diabetes, and the burden of the disease will cost the healthcare system close to $17 billion annually.
Through our Changing Diabetes® ambition, Novo Nordisk is making a difference in the lives of people living with diabetes in Canada. Through partnerships with healthcare providers and not-for-profit organizations, we help drive research, advocacy and awareness initiatives to improve access to diabetes education, care and treatment for all Canadians impacted by the disease.
100 years after the discovery of insulin, we are looking ahead
to the next 100 years of type 2 diabetes research. Together with the
University of Toronto, we have established the Novo Nordisk Network
for Healthy Populations . The network will unite experts
in public health and chronic disease research to focus on uncovering
new prevention tactics to halt the rise of type 2 diabetes.
This interdisciplinary effort will explore critical questions related to chronic diseases such as how transportation, mobilities, and the built environment are key enablers of health and well-being. The role of new technologies including virtual care, remote training and support, and wearable devices in diabetes care and obesity prevention will also be explored.
Local partnerships in more than 30 cities around the world, reaching more than 150 million individuals, to help prevent and control urban diabetes. Learn more about how Mississauga is joining the global fight against type 2 diabetes, making it the only municipality in Canada to participate in the Cities Changing Diabetes (CCD) Programme.
Wheel of Health is a documentary film that explores the impactful work of the DUDES Club, an Indigenous men’s health organization based in B.C. that empowers men to tackle health challenges and find healing through community and tradition. This film, part of a global Novo Nordisk series showcasing positive stories of local changemakers, sheds light on the transformative efforts of the DUDES Club in local communities.
Watch Wheel of Health here. Witness the powerful connections, healing, and brotherhood that define the DUDES Club, and join its members on a journey through stories of resilience and growth.
ParticipACTION is a Canadian charitable organization and an enduring part of Canada’s physical activity history, encouraging people to get healthy by getting active since 1971. As the presenting partner of the 2024-2025 ParticipACTION Community Challenge, Novo Nordisk is proud of the role we play in supporting healthier communities through the promotion of an active lifestyle and the prevention of chronic diseases. Click here to learn more.
In 2024, the fifth edition of the ParticipACTION Community Challenge inspired more than 1,200 communities across Canada to get physically active throughout June and compete for the title of Canada’s Most Active Community. ParticipACTION distributed over $750,000 in grants to more than 650 community organizations across the country, helping to facilitate low-barrier, inclusive opportunities for physical activity and sport participation. Hay River, Northwest Territories was crowned Canada’s Most Active Community, earning the top prize of $100,000 to be invested in local physical activity and sports initiatives. Click here to learn more.
Science has shown us that obesity is a highly complex condition that is not the fault of any individual. Yet, for far too long, discussions about obesity have been dominated by blame, judgement and shame. It's time to change the conversation. Novo Nordisk Canada Inc. has developed a campaign called Obesity Out Loud to amplify the voices of Canadians living with obesity through their personal experiences. The intention is to help build awareness for obesity as a manageable health condition and to dispel the blame and shame often associated with this chronic disease. Click here to learn more.
Novo Nordisk Canada Inc. has partnered with the Province of Nova Scotia to create the Nova Scotia Lighthouse project, an initiative that will address childhood obesity and chronic disease prevention in the province. The Nova Scotia Lighthouse project will bring together healthcare, academic and economic leaders to identify barriers and challenges that contribute to poor health outcomes. Business, academia and community organizations will be invited to submit proposals to address them. Nova Scotia is the first jurisdiction in the world to deliver this initiative outside of Denmark.
The project underscores the importance of working with partners towards our shared commitment to defeat serious chronic diseases. Click here to learn more.
Diabetes is a growing public health issue that requires immediate attention, Novo Nordisk Canada Inc, and the Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM) have joined forces to establish the Centre d'expertise en diabète (CED) - the first diabetes center of expertise in the province of Quebec. This partnership is driven by the ambition to combat diabetes through innovative solutions aimed at improving patient care. Click here to find out more.
Novo Nordisk Canada Inc and its partners have launched a new initiative aimed at addressing critical health challenges faced by Canada's children. Many children in Canada lack access to adequate and healthy food, and only 39% of children and adolescents (5-17 years old) get sufficient physical activity. In response to these issues, the initiative, Growing Healthy Places: Mississauga, seeks to improve physical activity, promote healthy diets, and enhance the overall quality of life in at-risk urban communities. The program aims to support the city of Mississauga in co-designing, implementing, and evaluating tailored solutions that address the unique needs of the community. Click here to learn more.
