Skip to main content

Helping young families at risk for diabetes

Second grant from Medavie Health Foundation continues PERFORM Centre community research program
January 16, 2017
|
By Luke Quin


Healthy meal

Medavie Health Foundation reaffirmed its commitment in the fight against diabetes with a second grant of $50,000 to Concordia’s PERFORM Centre.

The funding enables the continuation of the Healthy Meals and Steps in Time: Diabetes Prevention for Young Families research program, which is led by Kaberi Dasgupta, an affiliate associate professor in Concordia’s Department of Exercise Science. Dasgupta is also an internal medicine specialist and associate professor of medicine at McGill University.

Medavie Health Foundation’s first grant to the PERFORM Centre, in 2015, advanced the same program. “With the ongoing support of the Medavie Health Foundation, we’re able to continue this important work in exporting our model to a community setting,” says Dasgupta.

The physician’s initiative helps mothers who showed signs of gestational diabetes — a temporary form of diabetes during pregnancy — and their families. This group has an increased likelihood of developing Type 2 diabetes later on in life. To avert the risk, the program looks at how the adoption of healthy habits as a family can help.

 representatives from the PERFORM Centre and Medavie Health Foundation PERFORM researcher Kaberi Dasgupta (holding cheque, centre) with representatives from the PERFORM Centre and Medavie Health Foundation at the Loyola Campus on September 27, 2016. | Photo credit: Mélodie Le Siège

Funded by Medavie Blue Cross and Medavie EMS, the Medavie Health Foundation supports grassroots, community-based initiatives through an annual grants program. The foundation is focused on two core causes of concern to Canadians: child and youth mental health, and Type 2 diabetes.

“Healthy Meals and Steps in Time builds knowledge and skills, empowering young families to better manage their health and reduce risk factors for developing Type 2 diabetes,” says Patty Faith, executive director of the Medavie Health Foundation.

“This aligns with our vision of a different kind of healthcare — one that doesn’t start in a doctor’s office but in our homes and communities, in helping people lead active, healthy lifestyles.”

#CUgiving



Back to top

© Concordia University