Diabetes is making a name for itself as the ‘defining disease’ of the 21st century. Over half a billion people are living with diabetes worldwide – a figure that is set to reach 1.3 billion by 2050. Driven by the rise in type 2 diabetes and obesity, diabetes brings with it a plethora of implications that threaten the delivery of healthcare services and challenge the way we manage diseases.
But it’s not all doom and gloom…
Like the phoenix rising from the ashes, so too do innovation and value-based solutions from the burden of diabetes.
This year’s theme for World Diabetes Day is ‘Access to Diabetes Care’ which celebrates the incredible breakthroughs in diabetes care. In recent years we have witnessed significant developments that have collectively shaped the global diabetes market, improving access to life-changing treatments and the quality of patient care and outcomes.
In light of this year’s World Diabetes Day, here are our top 5 major developments that are currently shaping diabetes:
Advancements in continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology
CGM technology has come a long way since its inception in 1999. Integrating the use of connected insulin pens, automated insulin delivery systems and advanced insulin pumps, CGM technology now allows patients to optimally take control of their diabetes, with minimally invasive techniques. Such devices also offer cloud-based data storage, which can assist healthcare professionals (HCPs) and diabetes providers in making more accurate, personalised and quicker decisions.
Artificial intelligence (AI)
As a healthcare communications agency, we have seen the meteoric rise of AI in healthcare and its untapped capabilities in improving the diagnoses and treatment of patients, worldwide. In the diabetes space, we are starting to see the use of AI in supporting the management of related co-morbidities. Diabetic retinopathy is one area where AI is making strides with automated retinal imagery grading, helping earlier detection and prevention of this crippling condition.
Hybrid closed-loop systems
On the subject of artificial, this groundbreaking medical device (aptly named the artificial pancreas) has revolutionised the diabetes game. Using algorithms to determine the amount of insulin that should be administered, the hybrid-loop system offers a lifeline for type 1 diabetes patients in successfully managing their condition. In the UK, hybrid closed loop management systems are expected to be available on the NHS upon publication of National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s (NICE) draft guidance this December, supporting the extended funding and use of hybrid closed loop management systems for managing glucose levels in type-1 diabetes patients. The significance of this milestone will mean that the system will be offered around 15,000 people in England, empowering them to take control of their condition.
Personalised medicine
In healthcare marketing, putting patients at the centre of their treatment has become synonymous with personalised medicine. Advancements in gene therapy and molecular diagnostics have allowed for a more tailored and optimal approach to treatment. Despite its infancy, the use of personalised medicine, in the form of genome testing immunotherapies, is opening up a world of data and exploration that facilitates diabetologists and the pharmaceutical industry in creating targeted treatments helping redefine what’s possible in diabetes care.
Diabetes medication for weight loss
Over the past year, we have seen the emergence of a new line of GLP-1 receptor antagonists (RAs) that have not only been approved for managing glucose levels in diabetic patients but also for weight loss in people who are overweight and/or obese. Used by A-list celebrities around the world, demand for these medications has disrupted supply chains and shaped national economies. With several big pharmaceutical companies currently lined up to get a piece of this action in the coming year, this new line of GLP-1 RAs is creating a buzz in the world of healthcare PR – being hailed as one of the most ‘groundbreaking medications of the 21st Century’.
Let us help you make a difference
The fast-paced, ever-changing landscape of diabetes makes it an exciting market offering endless opportunities to shape the future of care. With such a fluid market, it is often difficult to cut through the noise. We are a healthcare communications agency that specialises in helping companies navigate the complexities of their industry through compelling storytelling and creativity. Together we can make a healthy difference for your brand.
If you want to work with an agency that knows your market inside and out, Get in touch.
