World Diabetes Day 2024: Bridging Mental Health & Technology for Holistic Diabetes Care

On this World Diabetes Day, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) shines a spotlight on the overlooked impact of diabetes on mental health and emotional well-being, alongside advances in technology that promise to transform care for millions globally.

Diabetes is a lifelong challenge for over 74 million people in India alone, and this burden has been shown to extend beyond physical health, affecting emotional resilience and mental wellness.

A recent IDF survey underscores the mental health toll diabetes takes on individuals. An overwhelming 86% of Indians with diabetes report facing mental health issues such as anxiety and depression linked to their diagnosis. The fear of complications (76%) stands as the most significant mental health trigger, followed by challenges related to daily management (72%) and difficulties accessing medical support and resources (61%).

An alarming statistic is that 85% of those with diabetes in India experience what experts call “diabetes burnout”—the sense of being overwhelmed by the need for constant disease management. Of these, nearly three-quarters reported interrupting their treatment because of stress, highlighting an urgent need for healthcare providers to address mental well-being in diabetes care.

The IDF advocates for a greater focus on emotional support in diabetes management. Dr Banshi Saboo, a diabetologist and chairman of the Diabetes Care & Hormone Clinic in Ahmedabad, emphasizes that “while diabetes care traditionally centers on blood sugar control, many individuals are left feeling overwhelmed without mental health support.”

A New Wave of Innovation in Diabetes Care

In addition to mental health, recent advances in digital health and AI-driven technologies are showing promise in alleviating some of the burdens associated with diabetes care.

For example, Google recently partnered with India’s Forus Health and AuroLab to extend diabetic retinopathy screening across underserved communities. Leveraging Google’s advanced AI technology, these screenings aim to prevent vision loss in people with diabetes—a condition that can lead to blindness if left undetected. The initiative, covering six million screenings over the next decade, is expanding internationally to include Thailand.

Innovative digital health solutions are also reshaping daily diabetes management. Fitterfly, an Indian startup specializing in diabetes care, partnered with Ascensia Diabetes Care to integrate the Bluetooth-enabled Contour Plus Elite glucometer into its diabetes management app. This integration facilitates blood sugar tracking, coaching, and tailored insights, empowering users to understand better and manage their condition.

Swiss pharmaceutical leader Roche introduced a continuous glucose monitor equipped with AI that proactively predicts and helps prevent hypoglycemia, especially at night—a crucial advancement for people with diabetes concerned about low blood sugar levels during sleep. The device monitors blood sugar every five minutes, offering two-hour trend predictions and a 30-minute hypoglycemia forecast. With these insights, users can make informed decisions to maintain blood sugar levels within safe limits.

This World Diabetes Day, the IDF calls on healthcare providers, policymakers, and communities to recognize diabetes’s multidimensional impact. Addressing both physical and mental health is essential in improving overall health outcomes. The IDF’s mission aligns with this year’s campaign theme, which emphasizes placing well-being at the core of diabetes care to enhance the quality of life for those affected.

About World Diabetes Day & IDF

World Diabetes Day, recognized annually on November 14, was established in 1991 by the IDF and the World Health Organization (WHO) in response to the global rise in diabetes cases. This date commemorates the birth of Sir Frederick Banting, who discovered insulin alongside Charles Best in 1921. The IDF, a global network representing over 240 diabetes associations across 160 countries, advocates for improved diabetes care and prevention.

On this World Diabetes Day, the IDF, in collaboration with partners such as AstraZeneca, Lilly Diabetes, Sanofi, and Servier, urges a holistic approach to diabetes care—one that recognizes the vital role of both mental health support and technological advancements in enhancing lives worldwide.

This year’s World Diabetes Day is an opportunity to reflect on the evolving landscape of diabetes care and how mental health and digital health solutions are converging to support patients in managing this complex disease.

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