The Montreal Heart Institute Foundation announced Nov. 14 the creation of the Diabetes Prevention Clinic. The program, which will launch in December, is supported by a donation of $450,000 from Sun Life Financial.

Dr. Martin Juneau, Director of Prevention at the Montreal Heart Institute, will be the clinic supervisor. He will lead a multidisciplinary team consisting of a nurse, kinesiologist, nutritionist and medical staff including cardiologists, internists and general practitioners.

The program is aimed at meeting a growing demand for preventive services for patients with diabetes and prediabetes. Cardiovascular disease is the most common complication and leading cause of death in patients with type 2 diabetes, says the Institute.

"It's possible to prevent the development of type 2 diabetes, or reduce its negative impacts, through lifestyle changes," states Dr. Juneau. "Lifestyle is better than medication for treating diabetes, and doesn't involve the side effects frequently associated with medication. The clinic will deliver the best tools to patients, so they can minimize complications related to their disease."

"Since 2012, Sun Life has committed more than $25 million in the fight against diabetes in Canada and around the globe. We believe that awareness and prevention is key to helping people live a healthy lifestyle," says Sun Life Canada President Jacques Goulet.