Zahid Salman has led GreenShield, Canada’s only national non-profit health and benefits company, since 2018.
Canada is at a crossroads when it comes to chronic disease.
Diabetes. Heart disease. Cancer. Alzheimer’s. Parkinson’s. These names evoke urgency and fear, and for good reason – they are on the rise.
Today, chronic illnesses already affect a third of Canadians. But tomorrow, and over the long-term, this burden will only grow heavier. A recent report by the University of Toronto’s Dalla Lana School of Public Health projects that by 2040 a staggering 3.1 million Ontario adults will be living with a major chronic illness – up from 1.8 million in 2020. And it’s not just the number of people affected that’s increasing; individuals are also expected to develop multiple chronic conditions at higher rates than ever before.
Pair this with the demographic reality that Canada’s population is rapidly aging, and it becomes crystal clear that chronic disease is no ordinary problem. It’s a multifaceted challenge with deep complexity, competing priorities and escalating costs.
At GreenShield, it’s in our DNA to confront this kind of problem head-on. As Canada’s only national non-profit health and benefits company, we’ve seen firsthand the gaps in preventive care and health equity. Our research found that between 2020-2023, the number of drug claims for chronic disease states rose by an alarming 14 per cent. At the same time, the cost of medications to treat these conditions also climbed significantly.
The implications of this trend are far-reaching. For employers, it means rising costs of health benefits. For families, it means harder decisions about care and affordability. And for our health care system – already stretched to its limits – it means increased pressure on resources and the people who rely on them.
But while the problem may seem overwhelming, we refuse to stand on the sidelines.
Over the past few years, we’ve launched bold initiatives to drive change – programs designed not just to treat symptoms but to create sustainable, transformative solutions. Along the way, we’ve learned powerful lessons about tackling challenges as complex as chronic disease – lessons that apply to battling problems not just in health care but in every field. Out of many, here are the three most significant:
Don’t make perfect the enemy of better
Progress doesn’t require perfection. Small, incremental improvements can make a big difference, even in the face of seemingly unsolvable challenges.
The often-overlooked fact is that more than 80 per cent of the chronic conditions Canadians live with could be prevented through healthy lifestyle changes. But most Canadians simply lack the support they need to begin the journey toward improving their health. In response, last year we launched a program designed to help Canadians manage, but equally, prevent chronic disease through pro-active interventions.
Programs like this one won’t magically solve the overarching issue of chronic disease, but they will empower individuals with the tools, guidance and resources needed to take meaningful steps toward a healthier future.
For business leaders outside health care, the principle is the same: embrace incremental gains. Whether you’re managing supply chain challenges, navigating environmental sustainability or rethinking workplace culture, don’t fall into the trap of waiting for a perfect solution. Instead, look for practical, actionable steps that move the needle. Over time, these small victories compound into meaningful progress, reshaping even the most complex landscapes.
Collaborate
Addressing complex challenges demands more than innovation – it requires partnerships that break down walls and build stronger connections.
In health care, the fight against chronic disease shows how collaboration can overcome entrenched inefficiencies. For instance, integrating fragmented systems – such as electronic health records, specialist referrals and community care networks – can streamline patient experiences and improve outcomes. When providers, policy-makers and communities align their efforts, the result is greater efficiency, less duplication and more comprehensive care.
In business, the same holds true. Partnerships break silos, unlock resources and spark innovations that tackle problems faster and smarter.
Exercise humility
When tackling complex challenges, humility isn’t just a personal virtue – it’s a strategic necessity. It involves acknowledging that no one has all the answers and that wisdom can come from unexpected places.
In health care, humility means being open to insights from patients, families and frontline staff who experience the system firsthand. It requires leaders to listen actively, value diverse perspectives and recognize that solutions often emerge from collaborative efforts rather than top-down directives.
For business leaders across all sectors, embracing humility means building a culture where questioning is encouraged and where team members feel empowered to contribute ideas without fear of judgment. Humility allows organizations to adapt more readily to change, respond to stakeholder needs and remain agile in the face of uncertainty.
I chose a career in health and benefits to make a difference. Conceptually, that’s not hard. Impact is intrinsic to the field. But in confronting the myriad intractable challenges it presents, so too is a sense of hopelessness and futility. That we’re merely running to keep still.
However hard, however slow, my experience confronting the problem of chronic disease has proven to me that progress is possible, life-saving and never futile.
But meeting these multifaceted challenges – whether in health care or any other field – requires a shift in mindset. Progress isn’t about quick fixes or singular solutions; it’s about incremental gains, collective action and the humility to learn as you go. This perspective informs our work at GreenShield, breaking down barriers and improving access to care – driving meaningful change through holistic approaches to health equity.
The path forward isn’t easy, but it is clear: we must keep running, not to stay still, but to move forward – together. But it only happens when you look at complex problems differently.
This column is part of Globe Careers’ Leadership Lab series, where executives and experts share their views and advice about the world of work. Find all Leadership Lab stories at tgam.ca/leadershiplab and guidelines for how to contribute to the column here.