The Lab
Dr. Gillian Booth is a Scientist at the MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions within the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St. Michael’s Hospital. She is also a Professor in the Department of Medicine and the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation at the University of Toronto, Senior Adjunct Scientist at ICES, a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Policy Solutions for Diabetes Prevention and Management, and a practicing endocrinologist.
Our lab examines socioeconomic, environmental, and health care factors influencing the risk of diabetes and its complications. A major focus of this work is on the contextual factors that impact type 2 diabetes development in urban populations, including elements such as the built environment. Our work involves the use of large provincial healthcare and survey databases, advanced data science methodology, and geographic information systems (GIS). We also design and conduct clinical trials, supported by patient, community, and healthcare provider engagement.
Our Research Projects
The T1ME trial aims to test the effectiveness of an innovative model of “high frequency, low touch” care to improve glycemic and personal outcomes for people living with T1D.
Parks Prescription
This project aims to design, implement and evaluate a park prescription intervention with the goal of preventing diabetes by promoting physical activity in local parks and outdoor spaces.
Built Environment
We advance urban health equity through projects like the Mississauga Healthy Communities Grant, which aims to increase green space use in high-diabetes neighbourhoods, and the Healthy Cities Research Initiative, which is studying neighbourhood-level links to rising diabetes trends post-COVID.