Project Summary

The iCARE project is addressing the urgent need for better kidney function monitoring in Indigenous youth, who experience some of the highest rates of type 2 diabetes in Canada. Many are at risk of developing kidney disease, but early identification and treatment can slow its progression.  

Co-developed with Indigenous youth, families, and caregivers, the iCARE eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate) tool provides more accurate assessments and guides timely care. The team is now validating the tool and co-designing culturally appropriate implementation strategies.  

Why This Work Matters 

The iCARE project offers a novel, culturally grounded solution to address high rates of kidney disease in Indigenous youth with type 2 diabetes (T2D). The team has developed an eGFR equation shown to be more accurate than existing pediatric equations, enabling earlier detection and better care planning. Co-developed with young Indigenous patients, families, and caregivers, the tool supports timely, values-based care.  

By shifting the focus from crisis to prevention, iCARE advances equity, improves outcomes, and reduces long-term costs.   

Project Objectives 

• Build implementation readiness by generating evidence on the predictive value of the iCARE eGFR using administrative health data, to support integration into guidelines and clinical practice. 

• Improve clinical uptake by embedding the eGFR tool into electronic medical records (EMRs) and addressing barriers faced by pediatric endocrinologists through targeted education and support. 

• Advance culturally safe care through co-developed implementation strategies and patient-facing materials grounded in the priorities of Indigenous communities. 

• Support national and international scale-up by partnering with sites in Canada, the U.S., and Australia and preparing an implementation toolkit with clinician and community resources. 

• Strengthen patient engagement and knowledge translation through co-created materials, including social media posts and communication tools to share findings with Indigenous youth and families. 

Recent Activities & Progress

• Secured funding and began work to evaluate the predictive value of eGFR using Manitoba administrative health data, to support clinical uptake and guideline integration. 

• Advanced implementation by embedding the iCARE eGFR tool into the EMR used by pediatric endocrinologists in Manitoba. 

• Engaged young Indigenous patients and families to co-develop culturally appropriate implementation strategies and patient-facing knowledge translation materials.  

• Continued international collaboration to validate the tool in youth populations in the U.S. and Australia, expanding its relevance and credibility. 

• Finalized data analysis and submitted a manuscript on the iCARE eGFR equation to a peer-reviewed journal.