Shaping the Future of Diabetes

Globally, there are half a billion people with diabetes. In Georgia, approximately 1 million people have a diagnosis of diabetes and over 2 million Georgians have prediabetes, which is preventable from becoming full-blown diabetes—and a major concern worth addressing.

Recently, students, faculty, staff, and partners from around the globe gathered in the R. Randall Rollins Building’s Margaret H. Rollins Room to show their support in fighting the global (and local) epidemic during Emory Global Diabetes Research Center’s (EGDRC) 2023-2028 strategic plan launch.

The strategic plan outlines EGDRC's vision, growth opportunities, priorities, and four scientific research pillars, one of which is artificial intelligence (AI) and technology, to drive the center forward into the future.

AI has become widespread across the arts and sciences, including public health. EGDRC aims to become a leader in AI and diabetes while ensuring that AI promotes equity, one of the center's guiding principles.

“We see the growth of diabetes technology and AI as a promising frontier and plan to be pioneers in this area,” says K.M. Venkat Narayan, MD, director of the EGDRC and Ruth and O.C. Hubert Professor of Global Health. “Technology, including AI, is powerful and has major applications for diagnosis, prediction, prevention, and health care delivery. But it needs to be advanced in a manner that promotes equity.”

Collaboration is a significant aspect of the center's foundation, allowing it to reach populations across the globe. In India, one of the world’s fastest-growing tech hubs, EGDRC has 24 partners, many of which are long-term collaborators, like the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation. Other important, longer-term collaborations include the All India Institute of Medical Sciences and the Centre for Chronic Disease Control (CCDC) in New Delhi.

At the launch of the strategic plan, Dorairaj Prabhakaran, MD, DM, director of CCDC, spoke about his partnership with EGDRC, describing it as one of the most fulfilling collaborations he has been involved in over the past 15 years.

Mohammed K. Ali, MD, MSc, co-director of EGDRC and William H. Foege Distinguished Professor of Global Health, notes that these collaborations share the same key characteristics: a passion for improving health through sustainable solutions, mutual respect and trust, openness to feedback and disagreement, and accountability and collegiality.

“Strategic plans evolve with time and experience," says Ali. "As this happens and EGDRC’s achievements grow, we plan on building the community of talented individuals engaged in diabetes and cardiometabolic health. Our goal is to challenge and improve the current paradigm of cardiometabolic health and well-being, and gain recognition both nationally and globally for our impact and legacy."