We want to understand why this is happening. We want to understand how social factors, like moving
to Canada from another country, might be related to these high rates of diabetes. Through interviews and qualitative analysis, we would like to explore the experiences of migration and developing diabetes among Tamil immigrants from Sri Lanka living in the Greater Toronto Area. A group of Tamil and
non-Tamil researchers, students, community members and clinicians are leading this project.
FUNDING
This research study has been funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities
Research Council Insight Development Grant.
TEAM
Principal Investigator: Dr. Ananya Banerjee
Co-Investigators: Dr. Taryn Becker, Dr. Raymond Fung, Dr. Enza Gucciardi,
Dr. Sepali Guruge, Ms. Jannah Wigle
Collaborators: Michael Garron Hospital, Scarborough General Hospital,
Council of Agencies Serving South Asians, Tamil Culture,
Tamil Health Association
Research Team: Avantika Mathur-Balendra, Natasha Kithulegoda, Nuzha Hafleen
COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Mathura Karunanithy
Saratha Karunanithy
Janani Kodeeswaran
Lathika Laguwaran
Tharshini Parames
Gauthamie Poolokasingham
Aarabhi Rajendiran
Jaitra Sathyandran
Vasuki Shanmuganathan
Tharshini Sivananthajothy
Mehathie Sivakumaran
Haran Vijayanathan
Umayangga Yogalingam
Shindujan Yogaratnam
VOLUNTEERS
Vaenthan Jeevarajah
Mehathie Sivakumaran
Karthika Yogaratnam
Aasha Gnanalingam
Sri Lanka Tamil Migrants and Diabetes Study
BACKGROUND
Canadian immigrants from Sri Lanka have higher rates of type 2 diabetes than other Canadians. In Ontario, they have the highest documented rates of type 2 diabetes compared to those from other South Asian countries (like India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh). Diabetes is a chronic and complex disease that is influenced by many factors, including social, economic, cultural and historic factors.