UTM-based network marks milestones on road to addressing chronic disease in Peel Region and beyond

Three years into its ambitious 10-year mandate, the University of Toronto Mississauga-based Novo Nordisk Network for Healthy Populations has reached key milestones on the path to accomplishing its mission.  

The network, also known as NHP, was launched in February 2021 as a partnership between the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, the Dalla Lana School of Public Health and UTM to advance the global fight against diabetes and other serious chronic diseases. 

Led by NHP director Dr. Lorraine Lipscombe, a noted diabetes researcher, physician and public health advocate, the network has engaged with more than 200 community partners, established a diverse and representative advisory committee, and mobilized knowledge into action by supporting community-engaged and community-driven projects. 

“From the outset we made a strong effort to meet and engage with local community leaders, social service and healthcare providers, municipal and regional authorities and advocacy groups," says Lipscombe.  

"It was important to build trust and relationships, especially with marginalized groups, and show that the network is here to support and collaborate with them, not just research them,” she adds. 

“Everyone in the community is concerned about the increase in diabetes, obesity and chronic disease. These local champions want support and are excited about what they can do in partnership with us to help address and solve these big problems,” says Lipscombe, an associate professor at Temerty Faculty of Medicine and Dalla Lana School of Public Health as well as the director of endocrinology at Women’s College Hospital and a clinician-scientist at the Women’s College Research Institute.

This year the network published an extensive report on the current high diabetes prevalence and risk in Peel Region. The “Current State of Type 2 Diabetes in the Peel Region” report predicts a dramatic rise in prevalence to an estimated 1 in 6 people living with diabetes by next year, up from 1 in 10 people in 2007.  

“The highest diabetes prevalence today and the largest increase in cases over the next 10 years is projected to occur among recent immigrants, low-income populations and other marginalized groups including visible minorities,” says Lipscombe.  

In some Peel neighbourhoods, the report showed, residents have diabetes rates up to two-thirds higher than the provincial average. 

“The report helped our partner, the City of Mississauga, to identify neighbourhoods and population groups they would like to focus on, and the data provided a ‘burning bush’ – the evidence – to justify acting now,” she adds. 

The network has established several funding opportunities including Catalyst Grants, a three-level program that encourages multi-disciplinary collaborative teams – including academics, researchers, clinicians, and community organizations – to co-design and develop evidence-based interventions and programs focused on reducing the burden of diabetes and related chronic diseases. Catalyst Grants are awarded at the “micro” or individual level where people seek care; the “meso” or community level where people spend their time; and the “macro” or city and policy level where people live and work. 

“The award gives me opportunities to connect with other fellows and scholars doing research in similar fields. Interacting and collaborating with these scholars will help me to carry out my PhD thesis project, broaden my knowledge, and think about different perspectives,” says Ghanem, who is supervised by geography, geomatics and environment Professor Kathi Wilson. 

Ghanem and other NHP partners are helping to fulfil the network’s mandate to find solutions that will make the global population healthier in an effective, feasible, sustainable and equitable way – starting in Peel Region. 

The NHP’s report on the current state of type 2 diabetes in Peel Region provides a baseline data level of diabetes prevalence and risk in a diverse community of 1.4 million people.  

Lipscombe has a “tall order” for the follow-up report. 

“When we report data in 2031, we want to show significant positive changes at the population level in diabetes burden and future risk, obesity, health behaviours and the overall health of people living in the region,” she says.  

“We’re fortunate to have a 10-year mandate. We’ve moved from describing to doing something about these problems and I’m excited about the impact we can have.”