As boomers age, they should be considering diabetes health management tools

Digital tools for diabetes prevention and management.  Population health statistics about diabetes are alarming health professionals, particularly concerning today with 26% of older adults having diagnosed (16% of baby boomers and 27% of seniors) and even undiagnosed diabetes. So there's no surprise – innovation is wanted and much needed. New technology startups are popping up all around to help prospective patients prevent the onset of diabetes – and/or manage it more effectively. While some research casts doubt on the sustainability of these tech interventions, that doesn’t stop new entrants from jumping into the fray. Here are six of the tools available – with descriptions from news articles, smartphone-ish vendor sites or far more informative press reports. Would seniors use these?

Glooko.  “MeterSync Blue technology, which allows you to wirelessly download glucose data from more than 30 popular meters directly to your iPhone or Android. The device is small and lightweight — no bigger than a 9-volt battery. For those meters that are not wireless compatible, MeterSync Blue comes with one short cable and a 2.5 mm adapter. Don’t be intimidated if technology is not your game. The app walks you through the synchronization process with detailed instructions and video tutorials. And once you’re set up, this intuitive application does the work of managing your information.” Learn a very little more at Glooko.

Newtopia.  “Newtopia began offering its prevention program to businesses two years ago and has enrolled 4,000 people so far; it wants to quadruple its user base by the end of 2016. Newtopia charges businesses an average of $500 per active participant in the first year and $300 in the second year, and it offers money-back guarantees for those who try but fail to get results. Dr. Greg Steinberg, head of clinical innovation at Aetna, where 470 employees used Newtopia, says the insurer recouped what it spent on the program in a single year, via lower medical costs. That “is pretty unusual for a wellness program,” he says. Learn a very little more at Newtopia.

Noom. “Noom engages patients through exercise and nutrition apps focused on specific health problems. Our apps tackle diabetes prevention, diabetes management, eating disorder therapy, and weight control. All are based on our hit consumer app, the Noom Weight Loss Coach, which has been downloaded over 11m times. We’re experts at building apps that people like to use to improve their diet and exercise, and now we’ve created purpose-built apps that patients like to use to improve their health.” Learn more at Noom.

Omada Health’s Prevent. “For the first time in its history, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recognized digital programs — including Omada Health’s Prevent — as meeting the evidence-based standards for the agency’s National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP). One of three digital programs to achieve CDC’s pending recognition status, Prevent is the only one to have published year-long data demonstrating weight-loss and blood sugar results that meet or exceed CDC standards. Having pioneered the category of digital therapeutics, Omada Health has now been recognized by the agency that leads federal government efforts on diabetes prevention.” Learn more at PreventNow.

TreVia. “TreVia’s telemedicine platform enables preventative eye health care, such as digital diabetic retinopathy screening for detecting issues that often lead to blindness, as well as detection of chronic issues such as glaucoma, macular degeneration and cataracts. Through the Internet, images are instantly available for interpretation and results can be accessed by the extended care team within one day – anytime, anywhere. By harnessing the latest technology advancements, including real- time events and a guarantee of image delivery, TreVia ensures the highest degree of security, safety, and reliability when it comes to the exchange of patient information between providers.” Learn more at TreVia Digital Health.

Wellth. “Many times, patients leaving a hospital will not follow the instructions given by caregivers, and the caregivers often don’t have the time to follow up with every patient. Using Wellth, patients keep track of their medical activities with the application, such as taking medication daily or registering their weight, and that information is shared with primary caregivers.  Using science-based incentive plans, Wellth pays consumers to take better care of themselves.” Learn more at WellthApp.