Grant: Project Grant

Every day in Ontario, 4 people lose a leg to diabetes and, that number is rising. Amputation can be prevented with the right kind of care; however, those at greatest risk of amputation often have difficulty receiving the advice and treatment they need before it is too late to save their leg. People who experience homelessness are among those most vulnerable. The goal of this research is to better understand why people who experience homelessness are at increased risk of amputation. Big data analysis of all adult Ontarians including over 1 million living with diabetes and over 7,000 who have suffered a leg amputation, will shed light on disparities in risk and preventative care between those with vs. without a recent experience of homelessness. The results will inform tailored amputation prevention efforts.