Confronting Type 2 Diabetes in South Asians of the Greater Toronto Area: Turning the tide.

Abstract

The South Asian population is rapidly growing in the Greater Toronto Area with a growth rate of 10.6% versus the national average of 5.2%. Diabetes disproportionately affects South Asians, 8.1 times higher compared to Caucasians with increased risk of macrovascular and microvascular complications. There are several risk factors that have been identified including 24 single nucleotide polymorphisms, higher insulin resistance, low mean skeletal mass with higher visceral fat, and socioeconomic and family stressors. As the largest visible minority in Canada, these factors alongside a lack of accessible primary care have led to vital gaps in diabetes care and management, a holistic approach with culturally inclusive team-based strategies is proposed to improve health outcomes for South Asians living in Canada.