Type 2 Diabetes Project

With support from Healthcare Excellence Canada (HEC), the Rural Coordination Centre of BC (RCCbc) partnered with the Institute for Personalized Therapeutic Nutrition (IPTN), the Institute for Health System Transformation and Sustainability (IHSTS), and the rural communities of Tumbler Ridge and Port Alberni to co-create food-based, culturally safe services focused on type 2 diabetes remission.

Using the Partnership Pentagram Plus model as a foundation, the initiative emphasizes community leadership, Indigenous engagement and team-based care rooted in local strengths.

This work is part of HEC’s Strengthening Primary Care initiative, which supports 20 teams across Canada to improve access to safe, team-based primary care, especially in northern, rural and remote communities.

Achievements

Securing multi-year funding and preparing for implementation

In 2025, the Rural Type 2 Diabetes Remission Initiative reached an important milestone by securing $200,000 in Shared Care funding to support the project over two years. This investment built on earlier funding of $50,000 from Healthcare Excellence Canada and $25,000 from Shared Care’s Expression of Interest program.

Together, these funds allowed the project to move from early engagement to implementation planning in Port Alberni and Tumbler Ridge.

Sustained funding is important for community-based, food-first diabetes remission supports, which rely on trust, time and continuity. The new funding supports interprofessional collaboration and will help integrate a community health coach or navigator into each local team.

This next phase reflects growing momentum and a clearer path for the work. By supporting lifestyle-oriented approaches that can reduce diabetes-related complications, the initiative aims to improve health outcomes while easing pressure on the health system in rural areas.

Knowledge translation and education

The initiative supported knowledge sharing in 2025 through presentations, clinical education and related media.

A project poster was presented at the BC Rural Health Conference in June 2025, creating space for dialogue about community-based diabetes remission in rural settings. Dr. Don Wilson also delivered a keynote presentation at the Tumbler Ridge conference, helping to raise awareness of food-first approaches to chronic disease management.

Educational outreach extended into medical training. Through the Family Medicine Residency Program, IPTN delivered sessions on diabetes remission, offering residents practical skills in patient-led, food-first care.

The project also connected with broader conversations about food as treatment for chronic disease, including related episodes of At the Helm, a podcast hosted by Dr. Charles Helm. These activities helped share emerging ideas, build awareness and support learning as the initiative prepared for implementation.

Strengthening partnerships

Partnerships continued to anchor the Rural Type 2 Diabetes Remission Initiative in 2025.

RCCbc worked with IPTN, IHSTS, Tumbler Ridge and Port Alberni to co-develop food-based, culturally safe approaches to diabetes remission. This collaboration is rooted in shared leadership, local priorities and respect for community strengths.

Over the year, the project’s Steering Committee expanded to include broader clinical, research and community perspectives. Working groups also grew, including the establishment of a First Nations Advisory Group so First Nations partners can help guide the project’s direction, governance and understanding of health and wellness in rural contexts.

This partnership approach supports care models that are community-led and responsive to rural realities across British Columbia.

Explore the numbers

$200,000 in funding

Shared Care funding secured to support the initiative over two years.

2 rural communities

Rural communities, Port Alberni and Tumbler Ridge, preparing for local implementation.

1 advisory group

First Nations Advisory Group established to help guide the work.

Project partnerships

The Rural Type 2 Diabetes Remission Initiative grew through partnerships with IHSTS and IPTN, bringing together expertise in health system innovation and food-based interventions.

Working with Tumbler Ridge, Port Alberni and nearby First Nations communities, the project expanded its Steering Committee and established a First Nations Advisory Group to help ensure community and First Nations perspectives guide the work.

Collaboration with the Family Medicine Residency Program also enabled IPTN-led sessions on lifestyle medicine and diabetes remission.

Together, these partnerships strengthened the project’s ability to design practical, culturally safe supports that help people with type 2 diabetes in rural communities move toward remission.

Plans for the future

In 2026, the Rural Type 2 Diabetes Remission Initiative will move into implementation in Port Alberni and Tumbler Ridge.

The next phase will focus on launching community-led, food-first supports through local health coaching, integrating remission-oriented care into primary practice, and deepening collaboration with First Nations and community partners.

The project will also begin capturing early outcomes, sharing learning across rural BC, and continuing education and knowledge exchange through training and outreach.

This shift from planning to action will strengthen community capacity and support healthier futures for rural residents living with type 2 diabetes.