Catalyst Projects Advancing Healthy Environments
These projects examine how neighbourhoods, green spaces, food access and local planning shape opportunities for healthy living. Working with communities, service providers and municipalities, project teams are generating evidence and practical approaches to create more equitable and health-supporting environments.
Enhancing Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Among Young Adults in Peel: Mapping and Understanding Access to Physical Activity and Nutritional Supports
Project Leads: Drs. Matthew Adams, Vanita Varma, Maryam Niapour
This project in partnership with Humber Polytechnic, Sheridan College, community service providers, researchers, and government-based institutions in Peel will engage young adults in Peel (aged 18 to 30) to identify the availability and accessibility of physical activity and healthy food resources. Through this process, the team aims to assess the environmental factors that limit/facilitate the availability and accessibility to physical activity and healthy diet behaviours of young adults in Peel. It will also explore the individual, social and structural factors that positively and negatively impact the health-promoting behaviours of young adults to reduce the risk and burden of T2D in Peel.
Integrating Community Perspectives Into Greenspace Policies and Planning in the City of Mississauga
Project Leads: Dr. Gillian Booth and Karen Gomez
Research shows that spending time in nature improves physical health, encourages activity, and supports overall well-being. In collaboration with the City of Mississauga, this project will generate insights to inform the development of policies and programs that could enhance park access for communities with high diabetes rates. The team will contribute evidence-based input and develop a toolkit of practical solutions that municipalities of all sizes can consider to help reduce disparities, strengthen community connections, and promote outdoor activity—particularly among marginalized and equity-deserving groups.
Evaluating Community Gardens as Environmental Health Interventions in Mississauga
Project Leads: Britt McKee and Dr. Vasanti Malik
This project, in partnership with Ecosource, will look at how community gardening can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and improve health in priority neighbourhoods in Mississauga. Building on the success of Ecosource’s community garden program, it will assess how gardening combined with nutrition education can enhance diet quality, improve food access, and address other factors that reduce diabetes risk. This research study will fill gaps in the understanding of the role community gardens can play in overall population health and in type 2 diabetes prevention.
Food and Culture as Healing: An Intergenerational Community Garden to Address the Burden and Impacts of Type 2 Diabetes in Black Low-Income Communities
Project Leads: Dr. Ibukun Abejirinde and Racquel Bremmer
Type 2 diabetes is a growing problem in Malton, especially for Black communities. Many people struggle to find healthy, culturally familiar foods, safe green spaces, and support to prevent diabetes. Building on research that shows that community gardens can improve health outcomes, this project will create a Black-led community garden where older adults (65+) and youth (15-29) can grow food, learn about nutrition, and interact socially to reduce loneliness and create community bonds. The findings will guide future programs and help expand diabetes prevention efforts in Mississauga.