Unlocking Better Health: The Case for Community Support in Chronic Care

In the complex landscape of chronic condition management, community and social support play an often-underestimated role. In the past, social support has been considered a “nice-to-have” feature. However, research is continuously finding proof that this is a critical piece of the sustainable healthy behavior change puzzle.

For HR leaders evaluating digital health tools for their organization’s employees, understanding these impacts can be pivotal in selecting a solution that truly supports overall well-being.

The Role of Community and Social Support in Health Outcomes

Chronic conditions bring unique challenges that often extend beyond physical symptoms—affecting mental health, motivation, and quality of life. Social support, whether from family, friends, or peers with similar experiences, has been shown to significantly improve adherence to treatment plans, reduce stress, and even lower health risks associated with conditions like diabetes or hypertension. In fact, from a subset of users on Dario’s community platform, 91.7% said the community improved their knowledge and management of their condition.

Individuals with strong social support networks also tend to experience less isolation and depression, a major risk factor for people managing long-term health issues. For that reason, digital health tools that integrate elements of community and social support, like Dario, can boost health outcomes by creating an environment where members feel seen, understood, and empowered to continue on their health journey.

Beyond connection, other benefits of community and social support in digital health include:

• Deeper understanding of health conditions, empowering better self-advocacy
• New perspectives provided by others with similar conditions
• Increased health literacy and healthcare engagement
• Access to reliable and expert-reviewed resources
• Sense of accountability to maintain healthy behaviors

Our recent market research provided insights into why people look for a community in the first place, the benefits members experienced, and more. Learn more by reading the full report here.