Earlier this week, Sun Life Financial announced that it is giving $1 million to the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute Foundation to launch the Sun Life Financial Diabetes College (SLFDC).

The SLFDC launched on November 11, and offers an online curriculum of five modules which cover subjects such as how to prevent, manage and treat diabetes, healthy eating and active lifestyle tips, and information on diabetes complications and medications. The courses are available to people who have been identified as having diabetes or prediabetes.

"The SLFDC is an open, accessible resource for anybody who wants to take control of their diabetes," says Dr. Paul Oh, Medical Director of the Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation Program at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute. "Through the SLFDC, we're increasing access to physician-verified information and healthy behaviour programs to individuals regardless of barriers such as geography, financial constraints and language."

According to research conducted by Sun Life, one-in-five Canadians believe they are at risk of developing diabetes, yet the majority has not been screened in the past 12 months. The insurer has committed more than $17 million in support of diabetes awareness, prevention, care and research initiatives since announcing its support for the cause in late 2012.