As we approach World Diabetes Day on November 14, this year’s theme, “Diabetes and Well-being,” underscores the need to support both physical and mental health in diabetes care. With over 537 million people affected globally, diabetes complications like cardiovascular disease, kidney failure and neuropathy are on the rise. Early diagnosis and proactive management are essential to reducing these risks.
Diabetes is often linked to mental health challenges, and according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people with diabetes are two to three times more likely to experience depression. This overlap can hinder effective self-management, highlighting the importance of mental health support as part of holistic diabetes care.
Innovations in Diabetes Management: 2024 Highlights
2024 has seen a breadth of innovations in diabetes research. Let’s take a look at some of the recent advancements that embody the theme of “Diabetes and Well-being” for World Diabetes Day 2024.
Enhanced Continuous Glucose Monitoring and Biosensors
Dexcom’s Stelo biosensor — which made it onto TIME Magazine’s “Best Inventions of 2024” list — and G7 continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices are transforming diabetes management today. These devices offer real-time glucose tracking, empowering people to manage their glucose levels more effectively and potentially reduce long-term complications. CGM provides essential support for individuals awaiting breakthroughs in insulin production.
Intelligent Insulin Management with Insulclock CAP
Insulcloud’s Insulclock CAP converts disposable insulin pens into smart devices with reminders for dosing and timing, helping users maintain consistency. This tool promotes adherence, which can reduce complications and healthcare costs, allowing patients to manage their diabetes more effectively and independently.
AI-Powered Predictive Insights for Diabetes Management
Welldoc’s AI-driven tools utilize predictive analytics for personalized glucose management. This technology supports real-time, data-driven decisions, making diabetes management less manual and more proactive — reflecting the shift toward smarter, automated devices.
Promising Kidney Disease Therapies in Development
Vertex Pharmaceuticals is advancing investigational therapies for serious kidney conditions like immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy and apolipoprotein L1 (APOL1)-mediated kidney disease — often co-occurring with diabetes. Vertex’s investigational therapies, such as povetacicept and inaxaplin, show promise in Phase III clinical trials by potentially helping to slow or prevent kidney damage.
Community Engagement and Awareness Initiatives
Community support is a crucial component of mental and physical well-being for people with diabetes.
In recognition of National Diabetes Awareness Month and World Diabetes Day, Insulet Corporation is launching initiatives to promote diabetes awareness and education. Events include a Nasdaq closing bell ceremony, American Diabetes Association (ADA) panel discussions and a new podcast highlighting personal stories.
In addition, Affidea’s Roczen platform offers a doctor-led digital solution for managing type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obesity through personalized care plans, real-time health tracking and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medications for qualifying patients. By combining sustainable lifestyle support with innovative medical interventions, Roczen empowers patients to actively manage their health and reduce long-term risks, further supporting the theme of holistic well-being in diabetes care.
About Breakthrough T1D Canada
In honor of this year’s theme, Xtalks presents exclusive insights from Dr. Sarah Linklater, Chief Scientific Officer of Breakthrough T1D Canada (formerly JDRF Canada), alongside recent advancements in diabetes management technologies that align with Breakthrough T1D’s vision of holistic care.
With over 70 percent of new T1D diagnoses occurring in adults, Breakthrough T1D remains dedicated to supporting the full T1D community and accelerating the development of new treatments for people with T1D across all ages and stages.
Dr. Sarah Linklater on Diabetes Research
How is Breakthrough T1D Canada addressing the most pressing challenges faced by individuals living with T1D today?
Dr. Linklater: Our top priority is cure research, and funding the development of approaches that will allow the body to produce its own insulin again. We also want to help introduce programs to detect the disease very early (i.e., before people need insulin therapy), so that it’s possible to intervene with therapies that can stop clinical disease before it starts.
In addition to cure research, we continue to support projects that will help to improve disease management, mental health and complications until cure therapies are available.
To complement our research, we also support the T1D community in Canada today through various programs and advocating for better access to diabetes devices, medicines and care.
What key areas of diabetes research hold the most promise for a cure or improved treatment options?
Dr. Linklater: Treatment options have improved dramatically in recent years, particularly with advances in technology like glucose monitors and insulin pumps.
Devices will continue to get smarter and more automated in the coming years, meaning people with T1D will spend less time and worry on things like monitoring glucose, giving insulin and counting carbs.
New treatments that can be used alongside insulin therapy are also on the way, and these will make it easier to manage blood sugar and reduce risk of complications like kidney and heart disease too.
When it comes to cure research, stem cell-based therapies are advancing rapidly, with several clinical trials now active in Canada showing promising results.
These approaches aim to replace the insulin-producing cells that are lost in people with T1D, to get people off insulin therapy and eliminate the risk of diabetes complications.
There is also a promising pipeline of disease-modifying therapies for T1D — these are medicines designed to stop the autoimmunity that causes T1D, regenerate pancreatic islets or both.
All in all, it’s a very exciting time in diabetes research and we can expect more exciting breakthroughs in the near future where Canada plays a leading role.
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