New Data Shows Success for Digital Diabetes Prevention Program

By Sophie Skallerud and Hanna Gutow

Recent results from Omada Health’s Digital Diabetes Prevention Program show reductions in A1C and body weight over a 12-month period. This digital tool may be especially helpful for people with prediabetes during COVID-19

Omada Health recently shared exciting trial results from its Digital Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP): over 12 months, participants in the program reduced their A1C levels and lost weight. More than one-third of American adults have prediabetes, and with more than 400,000 people enrolled across Omada’s programs, this digital format may help those who have prediabetes access the tools to prevent type 2 diabetes. And with many people using telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic, a remote option for diabetes prevention is more important than ever. 

The Omada digital DPP trial included 599 people with prediabetes, randomly assigned to the Omada program or to a single two-hour diabetes prevention class (the control group). Participants in Omada’s digital DPP had access to virtual support, personal health coaching, digital tracking tools, behavior change lessons, and weekly sessions focused on losing and managing weight. The participants’ A1C and weight were measured four and 12 months into the trial, and results showed that:

• At four months, participants in the Omada program had an average A1C reduction of 0.15 percentage points (compared to 0.07 in the control group) and lost 5% of their weight, on average (compared to 2% in the control group). 

• By 12 months, people in the digital DPP had an average A1C reduction of 0.23 percentage points (compared to 0.15 in the control group) with an average weight reduction of 5.4% (compared to 2% in the control group).

These results are consistent with previous results from Omada’s digital prevention programs, and they suggest that this program may be especially helpful for people trying to prevent diabetes progression during the pandemic. For now, Medicare does not cover the cost of digital DPPs – but it does cover in-person DPPs. With the major increase in telehealth and virtual care, we are hopeful that Medicare will expand coverage to digital prevention programs in the near future.

Omada also has a program for type 2 diabetes management – early data from the program shows A1C reductions after four months. Omada’s programs are primarily offered through employers and health plans that cover the costs of the program, although people can sign up independently and pay for the program themselves. Take this short survey to see if you are eligible to join Omada Health.