SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In one of the largest studies of participants enrolled in a digital health diabetes management program, Vida Health’s article, published in JMIR Formative Research, demonstrated dramatic improvements in glycemic control and an important relationship between improved management of depression and diabetes.
The study, Improvements in Glycemic Control and Depressive Symptoms among adults with Type 2 Diabetes: A Retrospective Study, drew from a sample of 1,128 participants with diabetes enrolled in Vida’s integrative digital health diabetes management program. This program is designed to enable members to manage both their physical as well as mental health.
The results show:
- An average -1.9 point reduction in HbA1C at 4 months that was sustained at 1 year for those with a baseline HbA1C of >=9
- An average -1.4 point reduction in HbA1C at 4 months that was sustained at 1 year for those with a baseline HbA1C of >=8
- Participants who saw improvements in depression acuity had almost 2x greater improvements in HbA1C
- 61% of participants experienced a downward shift in depression acuity
- 55% of participants experienced a downward shift in anxiety acuity
“We’re thrilled to see the positive, sustained impact that our integrated approach is having on our members,” said Richard Frank, MD, Chief Medical Officer for Vida Health. “It's no surprise to us that patients who are supported as a whole person see better results than those who are treated in silos. It's clear that patients with diabetes need integrated behavioral health support along with physical health support and we’re excited to be able to offer that to our patients."
This study used a single-arm, retrospective design. Participants were enrolled in the Vida Health Diabetes Management Program. This app-based intervention adopted one-on-one remote sessions with a Health Coach, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, and/or a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist and structured lessons and tools related to diabetes management and self-care. Participants provided baseline HbA1C values as well as follow-up values at least 90 days after starting the program. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) assessed self-reported depressive and anxiety symptoms, respectively.
“Our members’ ability to sustain clinically significant short-term outcomes for 12 months is a testament to the effectiveness of Vida’s care model,” said Gretchen Zimmermann, RD, CDCES, one of the authors on the paper and Head of Cardiometabolic Care and Prescribing for Vida Health. “This model is based on human-led care, culturally responsive nutrition guidance, and integrated behavior change interventions for both physical and mental health, and I am extremely proud of our members and how we are able to facilitate their success.”
Vida’s virtual cardiometabolic solutions for chronic physical and mental health conditions serve members in all 50 states in both English and Spanish. Clients include employers like Boeing, Visa, Cisco, and eBay, along with some of the country’s largest health plans such as Centene, Humana, and Blue Cross Blue Shield plans. These meaningful outcomes are the latest positive results from Vida published in peer-reviewed publications. Vida has proven clinical outcomes across a range of conditions, including diabetes, depression, hypertension, anxiety, and weight loss. Vida is the only virtual chronic care solution in its class to guarantee outcomes through a value-based pricing structure that puts 100% of Vida’s fees at risk for both physical and mental chronic outcomes.
About Vida Health
Vida Health is a virtual cardiometabolic care solution designed to treat physical and mental conditions together. With Vida, companies give a more personalized, engaging experience to their members — with a national provider network for a high-touch, integrated care team model, enhanced by AI. This unique approach maximizes engagement, outcomes, and savings. Vida’s app offers live video sessions with licensed providers, asynchronous messaging, and digital content to help people prevent and manage chronic conditions — like diabetes and hypertension. Vida also addresses the mental health conditions that accompany cardiometabolic challenges: stress, depression, anxiety, and diabetes distress. See why a growing number of America’s largest employers and health plans trust Vida’s whole health offering. Learn more at www.Vida.com.
