Online resource reports success in preventing type 2 diabetes
Currently available in Sweden, the platform has helped people lower blood sugar levels.
People with type 2 diabetes have reduced their risk of developing complications from the condition by using an online platform to help with self-management of the condition.
According to recently published figures, the EIT Health-supported type 2 diabetes prevention platform, Health Integrator, was reported to significantly reduce high blood sugar levels in people at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
The Health Integrator platform provides support for those at high risk of developing the condition, utilising a ‘health bond’. The bond is financed through a loan provided by Skandia, an insurance company, and therefore does not rely on existing healthcare budgets.
As part of the EIT Health project, Health Movement, the pioneering health bond scheme was designed to support the prevention of type 2 diabetes, improving the lives of individuals, but also reducing costs to healthcare services.
At the end of the project, a spinout company, Health Integrator, was launched to continue the work, which has also been supported by EIT Health’s accelerator to access investment, partners, and strategic business support.
The platform is currently open to people based in Stockholm, Sweden, between the ages of 50 and 60 who are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Users are paired with an individual health coach who works with them to agree the required health goals to reverse their impending risk of type 2 diabetes and provide access to various services to help them meet those goals including nutritionists, psychologists, physical activity, and stopping smoking.
Since its launch, 210 people have now completed their six-month assessment which includes a blood test and other health checks.
The results from these assessments showed that 43% were no longer at risk of type 2 diabetes. In addition, an average weight loss was reported of almost 4 kg.
Jan-Philipp Beck, CEO at EIT Health, said: “These results are truly encouraging – the initial data is promising, but I am also interested in the testimonials of those who have been helped by this platform, who overwhelming say it has been an extremely positive experience for them.
“With this platform, we are proving that prevention is possible without demanding more and more budget from healthcare services or investing more in treating diseases and conditions once they are diagnosed.
“It’s crucial that we gather more data as well as scaling out and / or replicating this model across Europe so that we can begin to address one of the biggest health challenges we face with the pinnacle of ambition, which is to prevent it from occurring at all.”
It is estimated that type 2 diabetes care costs the Stockholm area around 2.5 billion Swedish krona (£201 million) annually. Based on early figures from Health Integrator reports, there is potential to avoid healthcare costs of approximately 1.4 billion Swedish krona (£113 million) per year within the region alone.
Utilising the data collected, the Health Integrator team now intend to begin discussions to expand the programme; initially to the rest of Sweden and Scandinavia, Holland, Germany, and the UK.
If you are based in Sweden and would like more information on the work of our sister charity, Diabetes Wellness Sverige, please visit their website.
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