LIVINGLIVING
T
here's a real trend in
changing the way we, as
a nation, think about our
health - taking control
and changing our
'usual' behaviours for the better. And
with good reason: the stats are gloomy
to say the least. According to Diabetes
UK, if nothing changes, by 2025 there'll
be 5 million people in the UK with Type
2 diabetes. As it stands, diabetes and
its complications cost over £10 billion
every year to treat[*]. We know the NHS
is struggling to cope with the demands
of an ageing, sickening population, but
we also know that many people are
confused about how they can make
positive changes to their health.
So, what's the solution? In the foreverchanging world of digital innovation, public
and private healthcare organisations
are coming together in a bid to halt the
growth of conditions like Type 2 and
cardiovascular disease and, in turn, relieve
the NHS from the financial burden.
So-called digital health, according
to IDTechEx, is becoming a disruptive
force in traditional healthcare and is even
a worry to the big pharmas - the idea of
software replacing some drugs. In terms
of diabetes, there's strong evidence to
show that lifestyle interventions, delivered
digitally, can lead to long-term lifestyle
change and help people with, or at risk of,
Type 2 either reduce their risk or go into
remission. Using combined techniques
of human interaction and digital tools,
CHANGING UP
With access to the right support, people with diabetes can
make huge changes in their lives and manage their condition
more effectively - and digital innovation is paving the way
forward. By Angela Coffey.