Usask diabetes research partners with Indigenous communities – MBC Radio

Aug 10, 2023

Researchers from the University of Saskatchewan are hoping community aided research can help combat diabetes.

Dr. Sarah Oosman, acting director of the university’s School of Rehabilitation Science, is one of the lead researchers of the project – “Strong Bodies, Spirits, Minds, and Voices” Privileging Indigenous Knowledge to Guide Pediatric Type 2 Diabetes Prevention with First Nations and Métis Communities in Saskatchewan.

The goal of the project is to connect directly with Indigenous communities to co-create and implement an Indigenous-driven health plan for preventing Type 2 diabetes.

“We want to reframe our approach to health promotion and wellness research in ways that are relevant and meaningful to Indigenous communities in order to positively impact and influence wholistic wellness among Indigenous youth and their families, particularly as Type 2 diabetes continues to grow,” Oosman said.

According to Diabetes Canada, rates of diabetes in the Indigenous population are significantly higher than the rest of the country. The organization would point to Canada’s historic and continued colonial policies as one of the factors in the increased risk of Type 2 Diabetes.