Tackling rising rates of diabetes is not only a priority in the U.S. In Canada, data show a continued rising trend of diabetes rates with no signs of leveling or decreasing.
Currently, 11.7 million Canadians live with diabetes or prediabetes. In Alberta, more than one-quarter of the population lives with some form of the disease. Approximately 667,000 people in Alberta live with prediabetes—which places individuals at a much higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes because of having higher than normal blood glucose levels. The province had the largest increase in diabetes prevalence in Canada over the last 10 years, and the rate of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes is expected to rise another 44% over the next decade, according to the Alberta Health Services (AHS).
Alberta's national health service is turning to a U.S.-based digital health company to pilot an app-based program aiming to reduce the onset and costs of Type 2 diabetes.
The yearlong lifestyle change program is a collaboration between Alberta Blue Cross, AHS' Diabetes, Obesity and Nutrition Strategic Clinical Network, primary care providers and Yes Health.
Launched in 2014, Yes Health is an all-mobile, digital health provider for diabetes prevention, weight loss and concierge health coaching. The company offers technology tools and personalized coaching aimed at preventing and managing chronic conditions and promoting overall healthy lifestyles through better nutrition, exercise and well-being support.
Yes Health empowers members to live healthier lives through behavior change and lifestyle change rather than medication or surgery, Alexander Petrov, founder and CEO of Yes Health, told Fierce Healthcare.
The pilot represents a unique three-way partnership between a health plan, Alberta's national health service and a digital health company that also loops in primary care physicians, Petrov said.
"Based on the data they have about patients, the provider is recommending Yes Health as a diabetes prevention program to people that have been diagnosed with prediabetes," he said.
For this pilot, Alberta Blue Cross and AHS will provide free access to Yes Health’s yearlong virtual diabetes prevention program to approximately 500 Albertans with prediabetes. The pilot aims to determine how best to integrate programs like Yes Health into primary care to ensure the continuity of care for patients. The program will eventually expand to a larger population of patients.
San Francisco-based Yes Health has tens of thousands of active users nationwide and provides its platform to dozens of top enterprises, including big health insurers and employers, according to the company. The company developed what it calls "in-the-moment" coaching by leveraging artificial intelligence that augments human health coaching to deliver personalized therapy for members at the right time directly to their smartphones.
Alberta was looking for programs that could adapt to their local regional food preferences and support people in widely dispersed rural areas, according to Petrov.
"Yes Health's in-the-moment coaching and nutrition advice personalizes to the Canadian member because Yes Health has Canadian coaches on staff that can evaluate the local meals and food products," Petrov said. "Yes Health's AI 'learns' to make Canadian healthy meal tips. Being 100% mobile with only the requirement of a smartphone and a cell provider for internet service addresses the rural/remote area need."
The Yes Health platform also includes machine-vision technology where members can take pictures of their meals and get AI-supported, health-coach-driven guidance on how to make them healthier, according to the company.
The app appeals to those who want on-demand support and advice—and no more calorie counting, strict diets or scheduling of phone or video appointments—just practical feedback on meals, workouts, groceries or other questions, Petrov said.
The platform also helps members address weight gain—the No. 1 modifiable risk factor for developing Type 2 diabetes. Yes Health says the platform has a high engagement rate, citing the platform's easy-to-use interface and asynchronous interactions with coaches. In addition, members have an 87% completion rate with the programs.
Yes Health uses research and science from Stanford University, the University of California, San Francisco, the National Institute of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to design its programs. Company executives told Fierce Healthcare last year that Yes Health's platform has outperformed the CDC's standards of care thresholds for over three years related to average weight loss and average weekly physical activity.
The innovative diabetes prevention program brings together a diverse group of partners with a keen interest in improving and streamlining care across three important and interconnected areas of health—diabetes, obesity and nutrition, said Tracy Wasylak, chief program officer of AHS’ Diabetes, Obesity and Nutrition Strategic Clinical Network, in a statement.
Diabetes management has become a massive market with more players taking digital approaches. From Omada Health to Verily’s Onduo to Noom, the virtual diabetes management space has become crowded. Primary care unicorn Carbon Health also launched its own prediabetes program last year. Virta Health is another startup focused on providing a tech-powered program to sustainably reverse Type 2 diabetes without medications or surgery.
Investors also boosted funding for diabetes care in 2021. Diabetes care startups raked in $1.8 billion in cash last year compared to $600 million just two years ago, according to Rock Health.
Yes Health's high-tech and high-touch approach stood out as AHS' leaders were evaluating virtual diabetes prevention programs, according to Petrov. "We have the ability to bring both that high-touch care of a healthcare professional, in our case, nutritionists, fitness trainers and other experts, together with an easy-to-access all mobile platform," he said.
Yes Health's app is recognized by the CDC as a virtual diabetes prevention platform that combines automation, AI and human support.
"This partnership marks a significant milestone for our organization in the fight against type 2 diabetes. It comes at an important time, as people living with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes often have higher risk of serious COVID-19 complications, as well as other long-term health complications," says Mark Komlenic, president and CEO of Alberta Blue Cross, in a press release. "As an organization dedicated to promoting health and wellness, we’re excited to be part of this program and look forward to the outcomes."
The AHS, Alberta Blue Cross and Yes Health pilot project will evaluate how successful the virtual Diabetes Prevention Program is at supporting lifestyle modification and sustainable weight loss for Albertans living with prediabetes. Determinants of program success will focus on overall engagement and weight loss rather than a reduction in claims.
The healthcare industry has seen an accelerated shift to online and digital health platforms as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. That shift has now become a permanent trend as healthcare organizations explore ways to engage patients and members through digital health tools and virtual care.
"Healthcare consumers today expect access to digital health solutions along with their regular in-person care, and it’s vital that all stakeholders deliver on those expectations with innovative programs that blend cutting-edge technology with personalized, human support,” Petrov said.
He added, "That’s why we’re excited about this landmark pilot partnership. It’s a great example of what can happen when the digital health sector works hand-in-glove with the payer, provider and public health communities to address and prevent one of the most debilitating and costliest chronic conditions."