Issue
Diabetes is a considerable public health issue since it has a high rate of spread and poses a severe health risk to people. This condition involves a decreased quality of life due to the need for regular treatment. Furthermore, diabetes causes an increased risk of developing other diseases and increases the mortality rate.
A direct intervention to address this issue is to accelerate the study of the condition and limit the factors that contribute to its spread. More detailed research is essential to accurately determine the causes of diabetes. Reducing the spread rate can be done by limiting the risk factors for this condition, for instance, by increasing attention to obesity and excessive consumption of sugar-containing products. Therefore, the issue of diabetes requires a complex intervention that should also address other conditions that determine the risk of diabetes.
Background
The mentioned issue is relevant to the U.S. because the prevalence of diabetes in this country is significant. According to Standl et al. (2019), the number of adults with this condition in the U.S. was 22.4 million in 2014 compared to 8.1 million in 1980. These statistics reveal an increase in the prevalence of diabetes that is outpacing population growth. Moreover, such an assertion is relevant globally, given similar statistics on the prevalence of diabetes in other countries (Standl et al., 2019). Thus, taking comprehensive measures to reduce the prevalence of diabetes is a crucial solution on a global scale, as the problem of diabetes is critical for the entire planet.
Total diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state incidents in 2014 were 184,255 and 27,532, respectively (Benoit et al., 2020). According to Benoit et al. (2020), young persons aged 18 to 44 years accounted for the majority of diabetic ketoacidosis events, as did adults with type 1 diabetes, whereas middle-aged individuals aged 45 to 64 years accounted for the majority of hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state events and were more likely to have type 2 diabetes. In lower-income communities, hyperglycemic episodes accounted for almost 40% of all cases (Benoit et al., 2020).
Overall, the number of diabetic ketoacidosis events grew considerably between 2009 and 2015 in both inpatient and emergency department settings. The hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state also displayed a similar pattern. The rise affected both males and females of all ages. Unknown factors are contributing to a rise in hyperglycemic incidents. More thorough data are required to examine the etiology and decide on preventative measures, which can be gained from efficient interventions.
Current Interventions
Diabetes treatment relies heavily on medical equipment and related applications. Devices include insulin pumps, constant glucose monitoring, and blood glucose analyzers. These gadgets are linked to better glucose management and decreased hypoglycemia. Electrical glucose monitoring technologies have progressed significantly over the past ten years in response to the continuously expanding needs.
According to Teymourian et al. (2020), the following are significant recent developments. The first is the widespread use of nanostructured components at the interface between enzymes and electrodes. The second is the creation of novel protective anti-biofouling techniques. The third factor is the rapid integration of wearable bio-electronic technologies with non-invasive and minimally invasive electrochemical sensor systems. Self-powered detectors, inexpensive paper-based screening tools, and multiplex sensing of numerous diabetes biomarkers round out the list.
It is essential to note that mobile health applications for diabetes self-management serve multiple purposes. The essence of such an intervention is to provide patients with diabetes with an app that helps them address possible complications daily. This includes a nutrition schedule, a clinical decision-making function, suggestions on arranging a daily routine, and, in certain instances, remote contact with a therapist.
According to Wu et al. (2018), private adult patients with diabetes who employ mobile app-based therapies have a statistically significant HbA1c decrease, especially those who have type 2 diabetes. In the study, the use of app-based therapies was associated with a clinically meaningful decrease in HbA1c without an increase in adverse outcomes across 12 included studies involving 974 individuals (Wu et al., 2018). In app-based therapies, a complication avoidance component and a structured display were associated with a larger decrease in HbA1c. The strengths of this approach are that it is easy to implement, given that everyone today uses smartphones, and it yields significant patient outcomes. The primary challenge is that the clinical decision-making component needs to be improved and further tested before it can be integrated into applications.
Proposed Intervention
The suggested intervention is to develop an educational program that could be integrated into mobile health applications for diabetes self-management. It will highlight the growing concern about obesity and the overconsumption of sugary products. Users will be able to access peer-reviewed articles that will enhance their understanding of the issue’s scope and context.
Hermanns et al. (2019) found that providing educational programs along with diabetes management devices reduces HbA1c and yields significant patient outcomes. Within the scope of this intervention, it does not seem that any ethical issues will occur. However, when assessing the program’s utilization results, it will be essential to obtain informed consent from participants and not disclose their private data, as required by the US Data Privacy Law and HIPAA.
References
Benoit, S. R., Hora, I., Pasquel, F. J., Gregg, E. W., Albright, A. L., & Imperatore, G. (2020). Trends in emergency department visits and inpatient admissions for hyperglycemic crises in adults with diabetes in the U.S., 2006–2015. Diabetes Care, 43(5), 1057–1064. Web.
Hermanns, N., Ehrmann, d., Schipfer, M., Kröger, J., Haak, T., & Kulzer, B. (2019). Teymourian, H., Barfidokht, A., & Wang, J. (2020). Electrochemical glucose sensors in diabetes management: an updated review (2010–2020). Chemical Society Reviews, 49, 7671–7709.
The impact of a structured education and treatment programme (FLASH) for people with diabetes using a flash sensor-based glucose monitoring system: Results of a randomized controlled trial. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, 150, 111–121.
Wu, Y., Yao, X., Vespasiani, G., Nicolucci, A., Dong, Y., Kwong, J., Li, L., Sun, X., Tian, H., & Li, S. (2018). Correction: Mobile app-based interventions to support diabetes self-management: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials to identify functions associated with glycemic efficacy, JMIR Mhealth Uhealth, 6(1), e20.