Access to education and diabetes management technology will play a “vital role” in type 2 diabetes support
Newly published report shows influence of technology for treating condition, over traditional medications.
The findings of a new report offered insights into access to care and perceptions of diabetes technology for people with type 2 diabetes.
The State of Type 2: Access and Attitudes Across Europe and the Middle East report was published by diabetes technology manufacturers Dexcom, to coincide with the ATTD (Advanced Technologies & Treatments for Diabetes) conference in Amsterdam over 19-22 March.
The multi-region report included survey figures from more than 2,500 people, made up of individuals with Type 2 diabetes and healthcare professionals, from Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Spain and the United Kingdom.
The report included recommendations for improving access to education and diabetes technology throughout, which Dexcom said “serves as a call to action for policymakers”.
The report suggests that 134 million people living with diabetes, of which 90-95% live with type 2 diabetes across Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, could benefit from access to continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology.
Key findings from the report included that “technology, not medication” could be the future of type 2 diabetes care.
More than half (52%) of healthcare professionals ranked access to CGM and education as having the potential to positively help people with type 2 diabetes manage their condition in the next 10 years, compared with 38% who cited better or more effective medications.
More than three quarters (77%) of people with type 2 diabetes who had not used CGM said they expected it to improve the lives of those with the condition, compared to 93% of people with type 2 diabetes who had used CGM and agreed it had a positive impact.
The report found that half of all healthcare professionals felt CGM should be the standard of care for people with type 2 diabetes whether they were using insulin to manage the condition or not.
Almost all (96%) of healthcare professionals agreed those using multiple daily injections of insulin should receive CGM and 86% agreed those relying on basal insulin should be offered CGM.
The report found that healthcare professionals see funding constraints (35%) and narrow inclusion criteria (20%) as the primary barriers to people taking up CGM use.
Around one fifth (22%) of healthcare professionals believe increasing education for people with type 2 diabetes could drive higher CGM usage.
In the report introduction, Professor Nebojsa M. Lalic, Chair of International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Europe, said: “Type 2 diabetes is a growing public health challenge, affecting millions worldwide and placing immense pressure on healthcare systems.
“In Europe, approximately 61 million adults live with diabetes, with numbers projected to reach 69 million by 2045. In the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, the situation is even more critical, with prevalence expected to rise from 73 million in 2021 to nearly 136 million by 2045 —the second highest increase globally.
“Across both regions, the vast majority (90%) of people with diabetes live with type 2 diabetes. Alarmingly, one in three people with type 2 diabetes in Europe and MENA remain undiagnosed,4-5 increasing their risk of complications. The financial burden is also significant, with annual type 2 diabetes-related healthcare costs reaching approximately $189 billion (£146.2 billion) in Europe and $33 billion (£25.54 billion) in MENA.
“Addressing these challenges requires a coordinated effort to improve prevention, early diagnosis, and access to treatment.
“IDF Europe plays a critical role in advocating for policies that support people living with type 2 diabetes, ensuring equitable access to quality diabetes education, technologies, and care. By raising awareness, driving policy change, and fostering collaboration between healthcare professionals (HCPs), policymakers, and communities of people living with type 2 diabetes, IDF Europe aims to improve health outcomes and quality of life.
“I hope this report can act as a call to action and highlights the vital role improving access to education and diabetes management technology will play in tackling the growing challenge of type 2 diabetes and shaping a healthier future for millions.”
Adrian Gut, Senior Director of International Access, Advocacy and Value at Dexcom, said: “With policymakers increasingly focused on digital transformation in healthcare, now is the time to push for greater investment in CGM technology as a core component of type 2 diabetes management.
“Enhancing CGM accessibility is crucial to tackling the type 2 diabetes crisis. By ensuring equitable access to this life-changing technology, we can empower people with type 2 diabetes to take control of their diabetes management, improve their quality of life and reduce complications. This will significantly improve public health outcomes and reduce long-term healthcare costs. Now is the time to make a transformative impact on the lives of millions.”
Read the State of Type 2 Report
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