Digital prevention programmes for people at risk of developing type 2 diabetes

Key Messages

1.      Evidence suggests that digital diabetes prevention programmes (DDPPs) are as effective as in-person programmes in preventing or delaying the onset of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in people with a high risk of developing T2D.

2.      DDPPs are effective in reducing blood glucose levels (HbA1c) and body weight, which together have been proven to reduce the risk of developing T2D.

3.      Health coaches and social support from family and friends play an essential role in delivering DDPPs, by helping to sustain participant engagement, building rapport and promoting behavioural changes. People were more likely to set goals for themselves and engage with the programme if they received this support in combination with other tools.

4.      People’s experiences of online group support are influenced by individual preferences and sociodemographic factors. Careful consideration of user needs is crucial for sustained engagement and achieving meaningful health outcomes.

5.      DDPPs have the potential to reach a wider population than traditional options and facilitate proportional access across different population groups.

6.      In-person programmes to prevent T2D in people at risk have been shown to be cost effective in the United Kingdom (UK). The digital implementation and delivery of prevention programmes has been shown to be similarly cost effective, in studies carried out in the United States (US). The cost effectiveness of the digital delivery of prevention programmes has yet to be formally assessed in the UK.

7.      An SHTG budget impact analysis shows that a DDPP can lead to substantial resource savings for NHSScotland.

Referred by

The Accelerated National Innovation Adoption (ANIA) collaborative