Metabolic health & mental health: Why an integrated approach is the best answer

Chronic conditions don’t exist in silos. Stress, anxiety, and depression often arise in response to physical conditions, including common cardiometabolic disorders such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity.

People with diabetes are 74% more likely to develop a behavioral health condition, such as depression. [1]

Unfortunately, the link between behavioral health and metabolic health conditions goes in both directions. People with depression have a 40% higher risk of developing metabolic conditions than the general population. [2]

Diabetes & depression

How are diabetes and depression connected? It’s not 100% clear, but they often coexist.

Managing diabetes can be challenging on many levels. The time and energy required for lifestyle changes like eating right and incorporating exercise can be draining. Remembering to check blood sugar, tracking insulin, taking medication, following up on all the required medical appointments – it’s a lot.

The emotional toll of relentless daily self-management is a recognized phenomenon: Diabetes distress.[3]

33% to 50% of people with diabetes will experience diabetes distress in any 18-month period[4]

The importance of a whole health approach

One platform, one coach, one holistic view – to best serve our members, we believe one integrated solution is best. The interplay between the body and mind is so strong, it’s essential to address them together.

About 50% to 75% of people living with diabetes and depression don’t get diagnosed and treated.[5]

Research demonstrates the value of integrated solutions. A recent study examined the outcomes of Dario members living with high-risk diabetes and self-reported stress and/or depression. The findings revealed that these members achieved a 13% reduction in average blood glucose levels after one year.[6]

Unified solutions that make it easy to take readings, track activities, view educational content, and connect with a coach—while using data analytics to help keep people on track—will go a long way to helping reduce or eliminate the risk factors that increase the risk of physical disease and behavioral health disorders. Point solutions, on the other hand, which require separate logins, separate screenings, and separate coaching—not to mention an inability to share data to promote a holistic understanding of individual health—are simply not designed to engage people who struggle with multiple conditions.

• Dario members manage 2.4 conditions on average
• 4 out of 10 US adults are living with two or more chronic conditions
• Employers are dealing with an average of 4 – 9 point solutions

While most digital health management solutions see drop-off rates of 43% or more after two months,[1] Dario’s focus on convenience and engagement leads to the kind of behavior change that generates long-lasting results.

 

[1] Diabetes and Mental Health | CDC
[1] Infographic: Chronic Health Conditions and Mental Health|MHA
[2] Mental Health By the Numbers | NAMI
[3] Diabetes Distress | ADA
[4] Diabetes and Mental Health | CDC
[5] About Chronic Conditions | CDC
[6] Meyerowitz-Katz G, Ravi S, Arnolda L, Feng X, Maberly G, Astell-Burt T. Rates of Attrition and Dropout in App-Based Interventions for Chronic Disease: Systematic Review