5 Game-Changing Techs in Diabetes Management

At the end of 2021, around 38.4 million Americans, or 11.6% of the population, were reported to be suffering from diabetes. It is also one of the leading causes of death in the United States. In 2021, around 399,401 certificates mentioned diabetes as the cause of death.

While the health impact of diabetes is widely discussed, the mental, physical, and financial toll on the patient is less frequently talked about. Sadly, around 12.1% of Black adults in the United States have diabetes which is almost twice the 6.9% reported among non-Hispanic white adults.

Available data shows that the total cost of diagnosed diabetes (both direct and indirect costs) in the United States in 2022 was $412.9 billion. People with diabetes spend 2.6 times more on medical bills than people without the disease.

The cost of supportive care for diabetes adds up quickly. For Black communities where families’ earnings are slim and further stretched thin, managing diabetes can be a serious challenge. Therefore, people living with diabetes in Black communities should always look out to cut the cost of managing the disease through insurance cover, discount programs, and over-the-counter items.

The advancement in medical tech tools is making it easier, more convenient, and cheaper to manage diabetes and improve the quality of life of the patients, especially for marginalized Black communities.

5 technologies to manage diabetes

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month in the United States. For this year’s celebration, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) has adopted the theme “Diabetes and well-being” for the November 14 World Diabetes Day.

The theme highlights the importance of looking beyond the health impact of diabetes to the overall well-being of the individual. According to the IDF, that can be attained with appropriate access to diabetes care and support.

However, for us in Black communities, access to care is not always easy. From the systemic location of healthcare facilities away from Black communities to poor insurance coverage for Black families, technology can help even the odds stacked against us. Here are 5 game-changing technologies that will help patients with diabetes achieve improved well-being.

#1. Continuous glucose monitor

The primary goal of diabetes care is to make sure the patient maintains a steady blood glucose to avoid emergency hospital visits. The continuous glucose monitor helps diabetic patients to know the level of their blood glucose at intervals throughout the day.

While there are so many different products on the market, it is important to get a product that records your readings like the Metene TD-4116 Blood Glucose Monitor Kit so that you can keep track of your glucose level over an extended period. The lower price also makes it ideal for poorer Black families.

#2. Insulin pump

Many individuals with diabetes don’t produce enough insulin to mop up the glucose in their blood. Therefore, they have to rely on insulin injections to provide adequate insulin for the body. Remembering to take insulin injections and the anxiety that comes with missing a dose can be a huge mental stress for the patient.

Having an automated insulin pump that delivers steady supply of insulin to the patient is one less problem to check off their daily routine. The patient attaches the insulin pump to their body (specifically the arm, abdomen, or close to the hip) and it delivers steady flow of insulin throughout the day.

#3. Blood pressure monitor

While diabetes is already a serious health challenge, it is also a risk factor for other health problems, including high blood pressure and cardiovascular problems. People living with diabetes are twice as likely to have high blood pressure compared to people without diabetes.

A blood pressure monitor helps patients with diabetes quickly detect high blood pressure to prevent the development of other conditions that can worsen their quality of life. Newer blood pressure monitors are portable, easy to use, and give accurate readings in seconds.

#4. Automatic drug dispenser

Elderly people diagnosed with diabetes may require the use of medication for the rest of their lives. In the case of Type 3 diabetes which has been reported in Black communities, the associated dementia may make it harder for the patient to remember when to take their lifesaving drugs.

An automatic drug dispenser is a valuable technology that comes in handy in the management of diabetes, especially for elderly Black adults. Choose the ones with alarms that will not only dispense but also notify the patient with an alarm when it is time to take their medication.

#5. Smartwatch

A sedentary lifestyle, poor sleep quality, and lack of adequate exercise are risk factors for obesity and diabetes. Lifestyle adjustments like creating an exercise routine can improve the overall well-being of patients with diabetes.

Using a smartwatch, patients with diabetes can determine the impact of their exercise routine including the number of calories they burn per session, their blood pressure, and the quality of their sleep.

Over time, diabetes technologies have proven to be effective in improving health outcomes including helping patients to reduce hospital visits. When choosing a technology for diabetes management, ensure they are easy to use, cost effective, and accurate.

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