# 2 Cent Diabetes Test Business Students Created a Cheap Way to Test for the Preventable Disease By Alyson Wyers | Published 2014-04-29 | Social Good Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/diabetes-test References: [fastcoexist](http://www.fastcoexist.com/3029320/you-can-print-yourself-this-2-cent-diabetes-test-made-to-fight-the-disease-in-slums) & [media-hult.ef](http://media-hult.ef.com/~/media/Hult) As a part of a social enterprise competition, students from Toronto's [Schulich School of Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smashfest) at [York University](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nj-transit) 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](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/withings-uscan-nutrio) 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. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.8/10 - Popularity: 50% | Activity: 86% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Social Good](https://www.trendhunter.com/socialgood) > [Social Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/socialbusiness) ## Key Themes ### 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. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Intuitive At-Home Medical Tests](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dengue-home-test-kit.md) - [Diabetic Sugar Substitues](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/biofect-innovations1.md) - [Disease Detection Toilet Tablets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/urify.md) - [Diabetes Research Crowdfunding Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crowdfunding-campaign.md) - [At-Home Urine Analysis Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/urine-analysis-tool.md) - [AI-Driven Diabetes Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/diabetespro.md) - [Self-Adjusting Insulin Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/insulin-system.md) - [Comprehensive Urinary Health Kits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/stix-uti-test-and-treat.md) - [At-Home Diabetes Monitoring Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/orange-biomed-a1c.md)