The American Diabetes Association (ADA) is offering a free 12-month mHealth program to support individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, according to an announcement.
Called Living With Type 2 Diabetes, the year-long program will provide information and offer free guidance at regular intervals to help people learn how to manage the disease. According to the ADA, approximately 26 million children and adults have diabetes in the United States, of which nearly 95 percent have type 2 diabetes.
"The moment of diagnosis is a moment of crisis for many people," said Lurelean Gaines, RN, president of healthcare & Education at ADA, in a written statement. "Even for those who are already familiar with the disease, getting that diagnosis brings on a lot of different emotions ranging from anger, guilt, stress and a sense of loss. This program offers a starting point for someone newly diagnosed."
Participants in the program can choose to receive recipes, tips and reminders on their mobile phones. Topics and resources include:
- Food, nutrition and recipes
- Stress and emotions
- Physical activity
- Peer support online and via phone
- Support from the Association's local office
- Support from the Association's National Call Center
- Opt-in text messaging
The Living With Type 2 Diabetes program, which is available in both English and Spanish versions, is supported in part by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Lilly, and Voxiva, a provider of interactive mobile health services, to help people living with diabetes improve their health using cell phones. Voxiva's Care4life diabetes self-management program is available as part of the ADA's Living With Type 2 Diabetes program, which uses text messages, a personal online portal and a mobile website to engage and support users as they learn about diabetes and form healthy habits.
Care4life, which Voxiva announced in October 2012, delivers education, medication and appointment reminders, blood glucose tracking, weight and exercise goal setting and tracking, healthy recipes and nutrition tips, and a virtual coach to provide motivation. Members of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, a not-for-profit health plan serving more than one million members in New England, are now able to enroll in Voxiva's Care4Life.
To learn more:
- read the announcement