In the United States as of figures from 2014, 9.3 percent of the population — 29.1 million people — have diabetes, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Of that number, 21 million people are diagnosed and 8.1 million are undiagnosed. Diagnosis and disease management present two of the greatest challenges with diabetes; prevention, especially with type 2 diabetes, takes the lead as the greatest diabetes-related challenge in the U.S. and worldwide. For those diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, managing the disease requires diligent and consistent use of blood glucose level measures.
Johnson & Johnson’s LifeScan, Inc. division, a leader in blood glucose monitoring, partnered with WellDoc Inc., a data science company focused on helping people with diabetes using predictive analytics, population health analysis, and self-management programs. LifeScan’s OneTouch Verio Flex blood glucose monitoring hardware received FDA clearance to integrate with WellDocs’ previously FDA-cleared BlueStar digital therapeutic platform for adults with type 2 diabetes. The hardware and the data analytics and behavior management platform now can work together. Patients with the One-Touch monitor and Bluestar will not only know their blood glucose levels, they’ll also receive individualized real-time feedback and virtual coaching based on the patient’s specific treatment plan.
Going forward, partnerships between biometric monitoring hardware companies and data handling companies should grow. Adding the capacity to handle huge data flows, employ big data analytics and artificial intelligence, and in the process increase the quality of patient engagement have great potential to improve treatment and management for patients with a variety of diseases and conditions.
