At this year’s CAHSPR conference in Ottawa, Diabetes Action Canada member Aleksandra Stanimirovic, also part of the UHN Program for Health System and Technology Evaluation (PHSTE), presented on behalf of her team members Troy Francis, Jim Bowen, and Valeria Rac; collaborators from South Riverdale Community Health Centre (Rebecca Merritt and Ann Phillips); and Judy Hung from Toronto Western Hospital. Together, they made a strong case for how patient-partnered research can demonstrate that population-based diabetic retinopathy screening, with treatment access for underserved populations, delivers exceptional return on investment for individuals, communities, and the health system.

Co-developed with Patient Partners Debbie and Malcolm Sissmore and Ryan Hooey, the study evaluated the cost-effectiveness of Ontario’s tele-retina screening program for diabetic retinopathy, focusing on structurally underserved populations. Three care models were compared, and population-based screening emerged as the most cost-effective.

The numbers tell a powerful story:

• $27 saved for every $1 invested when regular screening is paired with low-cost therapy
• $7.66 saved for every $1 invested when paired with high-cost therapy
• Improved early detection and prevention of avoidable vision loss
• Reduced long-term healthcare costs tied to advanced eye disease and disability

But the real ROI goes beyond economics.

Because the study was shaped by individuals with lived experience, the research addressed real-world barriers to access and delivery. Patient Partner insights directly informed the modeling assumptions—ensuring relevance, legitimacy, and impact.

Now, these findings are informing active conversations with health system leaders about scaling diabetic retinopathy screening province-wide. This is patient-oriented research influencing real policy—and driving smarter, more equitable investment.

And this work doesn’t stop at the abstract. Stay tuned for the upcoming peer-reviewed publication, and continued leadership from Diabetes Action Canada in advancing research that saves sight, limbs —and public dollars.