Grant: Netherlands-Canada Type 2 Diabetes Consortium - Travel Award - ECR

Patients with type 2 diabetes can develop complications related to high blood sugars over long periods of time. Unfortunately, in modern developed societies, certain groups of people tend to have a more difficult time controlling their blood sugars than others. These groups are often those who face certain social disadvantages. In particular, this group includes: those who experience homelessness, members of indigenous communities, recent immigrants, refugees, and members of visible minority groups. My research program is focused on enhancing the ability of patients with type 2 diabetes from these particular groups to manage their illness and access the care that they require. A number of projects that will be presented at the Netherlands-Canada Type 2 Diabetes Consortium Workshop are focused on behavioural aspects of managing type 2 diabetes. I believe that considering the social factors that influence health behaviours and how these interventions might strengthen the projects and lead to productive collaborations.