Children's Diabetes Risk Assessment Launched

RediClinic LLC, BIOSAFE Laboratories, Inc., and Glycemion have partnered with Mari Gallagher Research & Consulting Group and the National Center for Public Research in the provision of free diabetes screenings to school age children in Richmond, Virginia to help identify diabetic and pre-diabetic children and adolescents.

Mari Gallagher Research & Consulting Group has conducted extensive research on the identification of and solution to the Food Desert and its link to diabetes and other diet-related diseases. MG defines Food Deserts as large or isolated geographical areas with limited or no access to mainstream grocery stores. MG was the first to empirically quantify Food Deserts. We popularized the term across the country and exclusively developed the first-of-its kind Food Balance Score, an index measuring the ratio of mainstream to fringe food at the block level, which is a predictor of diabetes. From California to New York and in other parts of the world, others are now following and replicating the methods developed first by our firm. We are proud to have significantly deepened the understanding of the relationship between food access and diet-related health and to see our work directly impact major policies and legislation, such as the United States Farm Bill, as well as new directions taken by business and medical science. MG currently has Food Balance Scores at the block level for over 90,000 US blocks — and that number is growing. Our goal is to develop data and follow-on solutions for major urban and rural areas across the country.

To view full release and related materials, go to our Projects Page.

MG Supports the National Center for Public Research in its launch of September: National Food Desert Awareness Month. Visit our Projects Page for downloads.