University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) researcher Christopher Long, Ph.D. received a $991,145 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This grant will be used to study the nutritional health of low-income individuals who live with type 2 diabetes.
As many low-income individuals with diabetes rely on food pantries for their nutrition, Long will work with the UAMS Office of Community Health and Research, as well as Arkansas food pantries, to produce materials intended to educate adults on how to manage their type 2 diabetes. These materials will be delivered with food boxes containing items fit for a diabetic diet.
“Our goal is to develop easy-to-understand information for people from a variety of backgrounds that will help them manage their diabetes and adopt better eating habits,” Long said in a statement. “Most food pantries are unable to provide food that meets the needs of people with type 2 diabetes so it’s important that they have access to healthy foods and the information they need to live a healthy lifestyle.”
In addition, Long will work to develop a training program for medical students that will allow them to become familiar with food insecurity-related issues, such as type 2 diabetes. Long is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry.
READ MORE: CDC Releases Interim Guidance on Reopening Schools
