As a part of a social enterprise competition, students from Toronto's Schulich School of Business at York University have developed a 2 cent diabetes test. While some might think of diabetes as a disease for rich people, many impoverished urban 'slum dwellers' are at risk for this preventable disease.
Called the Square, this pregnancy test-like urine test is a cheap way to reduce diabetes rates among the urban poor. It works by detecting glucose levels in urine and changing color. The postage stamp sized test also allows those potentially affected to detect diabetes earlier on and make the appropriate lifestyle changes. As it can be printed using a normal printer, the diabetes test is even cheaper to administer.
This concept could easily be expanded to suit not just the urban poor, but slums in developing communities worldwide.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Low-cost Medical Tests
- The development of medical tests that are affordable and accessible to low-income communities.
- Preventive Healthcare
- An emphasis on preventive healthcare to address diseases that are largely preventable by lifestyle changes.
- Printable Medical Technology
- The use of printable medical technology to create inexpensive and easily accessible tests and monitoring devices.
Where This Applies
- Medical Devices
- There is an opportunity for medical device companies to shift their focus toward creating low-cost medical tests and technology for underserved communities.
- Pharmaceuticals
- Pharmaceutical companies can invest in research and development for preventive measures and lifestyle interventions for preventable diseases.
- Social Enterprises
- Social enterprises can take up the challenge of expanding the availability of affordable and accessible medical tests and technology to low-income communities worldwide.
