World Diabetes Day 2024
November 14 is World Diabetes Day. Nearly 12 million Canadians are living with diabetes or prediabetes, representing about 29 per cent of the population. The prevalence of diabetes is higher among certain populations, including those of South Asian descent, where the rate goes up to 16 per cent (Diabetes Canada).
At the Centre for Innovation in Health & Wellness (CIHW), we are proud to highlight our ongoing efforts to raise awareness and generate new ideas within our community for diabetes awareness, education and prevention.
In 2022, as part of its strategic vision, CIHW launched its first ‘Health Innovation Challenge’, a unique opportunity to bring together students from across Humber Polytechnic to develop innovative solutions related to prediabetes and diabetes among young adults. The success of the first event led to the establishment of a health innovation challenge as an ongoing annual initiative for CIHW. All Health Innovation Challenge events held so far have brought together students across Humber’s six faculties to share new insights, knowledge, and understanding of the crucial issue of diabetes prevention. When we asked the students why they wanted to participate in the health innovation challenges, nearly 50 per cent of them shared that they have been personally impacted or their family members have been struggling with this chronic disease.
Based on the success of our Health Innovation Challenges and student feedback, CIHW engaged with Klick Health, a health tech company which was developing a new technology to identify prediabetes/type 2 diabetes using vocal biomarkers. From this partnership, emerged a new research project, “Investigating the use of vocal biomarkers to detect prediabetes/type 2 diabetes in the South Asian population” which was launched in Fall 2024. So far, over 200 Humber students have actively participated in this research project. All participants have received information on prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, and the role of nutrition and lifestyle in disease prevention.
Through continuous education and hands-on learning opportunities for students, CIHW hopes to change the curve on prevention of this disease and empower young adults to change the course of their lives. Together, we can create a healthier future for all.
Learn more about World Diabetes Day.
Do you have an innovative research or project idea? Connect with us! Email vanita.varma@humber.ca.
