Actions on Diabetes

For years, we have heard that people from a South Asian background are more at risk for type 2 diabetes, but the reasons for why were never quite clear. And those that were suggested often fed into stereotypes.

In this episode, Amina Khan and Dr. Ananya Banerjee talk about their work on a research program that's shedding light on this issue and breaking down some of those stereotypes.

Visit the South Asian Health Research Hub to watch Beyond the Body and learn more.

When we think about housing insecurity and homelessness, we don't often consider what it's like to manage a chronic illness on top of that. For many, however, the need to contend with diabetes and housing insecurity is very real.

Anna DiGiandomenico and University of Calgary researcher Dr. David Campbell discuss their work on a research program that's shedding light on this issue.

Trying to figure out the needs of the diabetes community can be complicated – especially if we don't have data to help us determine where the greatest need is or how current treatments are working.

That's where the Diabetes Action Canada National Diabetes Repository comes in. This resource helps bring administrative and medical record data from across Canada together in one place for the purpose of research.

It's also overseen by a group of dedicated patients determined that the information in the database is used in ways that patients understand and appreciate.

Today, Kylie Peacock, a Diabetes Action Canada Patient Partner and Conrad Pow, a Senior Project Manager at Diabetes Action Canada discuss this resource and the roles they play in supporting it.

Technology has changed so much about how diabetes is managed – especially for those with type 1. Now, as people with diabetes adapt to continuous glucose monitors and closed loop systems, there's even more research being done on new treatments – and there's a need to find those who will participate in clinical trials.

In today's episode, Jen Hanson, Executive Director at Connected in Motion, and Dr. Shivani Goyal, Associate Director of Product at eHealth Innovation, discuss how technology is changing diabetes and the ways Diabetes Action Canada is ensuring patient voices are at the table.

Amputation is one of the most feared complication of diabetes and preventive foot care can have an enormous impact on avoiding this outcome.

The Diabetes Action Canada foot care and amputation prevention team is looking at community-based approaches to improving treatments and avoiding lower limb amputations.

On this episode, Patient Partner Tom Weisz and Dr. Charles de Mestral discuss this work.

Dr. Bruce Perkins and Patient Partner Kate Farnsworth discuss closed loop technologies for type 1 diabetes, and the DIY looping community.

Learn more about this topic: https://diabetesaction.ca/life-inside-the-loop/

The Diabetes Action Canada Indigenous Patient Circle defines their mission as "Indigenous partners empowering holistic approaches to wellness". Its members are ensuring their voices are heard as they address the most important diabetes-related health challenges for Indigenous Peoples in Canada.

Today Sasha Delorme and Alex McComber discuss the Indigenous Patient Circle and the respectful engagement of Indigenous people in patient-oriented research.

When research studies are designed, there is often a critical party absent from the table – patients.

More often than not, those who are expected to benefit from a new treatment or technology aren't involved with the process or development—and that can be an enormous problem.

Dr. Holly Witteman and Patient Partner Dana Greenberg discuss the value of having patients involved in research design.