Cardiometabolic Diseases
South Asians (people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, and Sri Lanka) have a higher risk of heart and cardiovascular disease than any other ethnic group. There is a need for research to identify effective ways to prevent and treat heart disease in South Asians, who may have different risk factors compared to other ethnic groups.
ADVANCE (Accelerate Innovation in Diabetes LeVeraging Unique PAthways iN Asians) Program
The Stanford Center for Asian Health Research and Education (CARE) announces a transformative $5 million donation to launch ADVANCE (Accelerate Innovation in Diabetes LeVeraging Unique PAthways iN Asians) Program, a pioneering initiative to address diabetes disparities in Asian populations. This historic gift, the largest in CARE’s history, will empower a multi-disciplinary approach to tackling one of the most pressing health crises affecting hundreds of millions locally and globally.
Diabetes disproportionately affects Asian populations, who make up approximately 30% of the Bay Area population and account for 60% of the world’s population. Despite their significant demographic representation, Asians have been historically underrepresented in diabetes research. ADVANCE aims to close this critical gap.
Key Objectives of ADVANCE:
- Identify Novel Mechanisms: Investigate why Type 2 diabetes develops at a lower body weight in Asians, and uncover molecular and genetic drivers of Type 1 diabetes.
- Enhance Biobanking Resources: Build an Asian Diabetes Biobank to collect over 10,000 specimens, leveraging Stanford’s state-of-the-art biobank infrastructure.
- Foster Collaboration: Unite Stanford’s leading researchers, local communities, and healthcare systems to amplify impact.