From Social Media Advertisement to Type 2 Diabetes Remission: Harnessing Innovative Social Media Strategies to Make Remission Possible in British Columbia

Year 2024

Type Reach Awards
Principal investigator Jonathan Little
Co-lead(s) Damien Gillis, Slingshot Communications
Host institution University of British Columbia
Research location University of British Columbia - Okanagan Campus
Team members
- Damien Gillis, Slingshot Communications
- Alexis Marcotte-Chenard, University of British Columbia - Okanagan
- Amy Morrisey, Person with Lived Experience
- Chris Xi, Person with Lived Experience
- Jacques (JJ) Belanger, Person with Lived Experience
- Audrey Pinsonneault-Grenier, University of Sherbrooke
- James Johnson, University of British Columbia
- Barbara Oliveira, University of British Columbia - Okanagan
- Sean McKelvey, Institute for Personalized Therapeutic Nutrition
- Barb Reece, Institute for Personalized Therapeutic Nutrition
- Anne Mullens, Institute for Personalized Therapeutic Nutrition
- Brendan Byrne, Lifestyle Rx
- Jasdeep Saluja, Aroga
- Liam McCready, University of British Columbia - Okanagan
- John Winkler, University of British Columbia - Okanagan
Partner(s)
Pacific Public Health Foundation

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) remission, which means that blood sugar levels return to sub-diabetes levels without taking any glucose-lowering medications, is achievable for many people living with T2D through changes to diet;lifestyle. T2D remission offers new hope to those living with diabetes and empowers them to make positive lifestyle changes. Despite this potential, many individuals living with T2D remain unaware that remission is possible. Our mission is to raise awareness and provide support for people living with T2D to help make Remission Possible across British Columbia.
The “Remission Possible” team includes researchers, doctors, people living with T2D, and social media experts to help share the inspiring stories of persons with lived experience of T2D remission through Facebook advertisements. Once people view one of our advertisements, they are directed to our website, www.DiabetesRemission.ca, where they find credible information on remission and can sign up for doctor-led programs designed to support them in their remission journey. Given the popularity of social media, this strategy can directly connect thousands of people who might benefit from T2D remission and guide them to programs that can help improve their health.