Inexpensive paper-based diabetes test ideal for developing countries

17-07-2012: The latest episode in the American Chemical Society's (ACS') Global Challenges/Chemistry Solutions podcast series describes a new, inexpensive paper-based device designed for diabetes testing in rural areas of developing countries.

It explains the need for less-expensive methods to help people with diabetes monitor their blood sugar levels. The disease is surging in India, China and other areas of the world where poverty limits the availability of health care. Although existing diabetes test strips seem inexpensive, the cost can be prohibitive in those areas. To address these challenges, the researchers developed a new glucose monitor made from inexpensive materials that measures sugar levels in urine.