Prioritizing Health in a New Era of Type 2 Diabetes Care

Type 2 diabetes affects millions of Americans and is often accompanied by additional health conditions like heart disease, obesity, sleep apnea and more.^1,2 Fortunately, in recent years, there have been significant advancements in type 2 diabetes management tools, offering people living with the disease more options to achieve their health goals, including better glucose (blood sugar) and weight management.

This important progress means people with type 2 diabetes can – and should – expect more when it comes to care. But better management tools are only one part of the story and many people living with type 2 diabetes still struggle to manage the disease. If you live with type 2 diabetes, it is important you and the people who support you can advocate with your healthcare provider for the care plan that is right for you.

Many Factors Contribute to Treatment Outcomes ​​

When thinking about diabetes care and your health, it is helpful to understand there are many factors contributing to your treatment outcomes. Examples of these factors include your needs and preferences around managing your diabetes as well as broader barriers to care, such as stigma.

• Individual needs and preferences: Every person living with type 2 diabetes is different. Individual needs and preferences can influence both starting and staying on a treatment care plan.³ Consistent medication use, as prescribed, can lead to improved outcomes.⁴ The American Diabetes Association (ADA) highlights the importance of early and consistent glucose and weight management to reduce diabetes-related complications.^5,6

• Stigma: Many individuals with type 2 diabetes also face stigma, leading to feelings of embarrassment, shame and anxiety.⁷ Stigma can result in feelings of isolation, the desire to hide their disease from others and difficulties in adhering to treatment plans.

A Transformative Time in Diabetes Care​

After decades of research and innovation, we’ve entered an exciting time in type 2 diabetes management where available treatment options reflect what people need and what they are demanding: treatments that help manage blood glucose, leading to better A1C, and help reduce excess weight. This also is in line with ADA care guidelines for people living with type 2 diabetes, which includes a focus on both glucose control and weight management.

Today, people with type 2 diabetes can choose newer incretin-based treatments that match their individual treatment goals after decades of insulin and other treatments that often resulted in weight gain instead of weight reduction. And since 90% of people with type 2 diabetes are also living with obesity or overweight, weight management as a treatment goal is especially relevant.⁸​

Prioritizing Your Care​

Unfortunately, despite the progress in management tools, many people with type 2 diabetes still struggle to reach their care goals. It's estimated that only 52.6% of adults with type 2 diabetes achieve the ADA-recommended A1C target of <7%.⁸

In this new era of type 2 diabetes care, however, there is hope and opportunity to improve health, but it starts with you.

You are your own best advocate and champion. It is important that you advocate for yourself for the best possible care throughout your type 2 diabetes management journey. Remember to partner closely with your healthcare team to set and reach treatment goals that focus on effective glucose and weight management, follow recommended screenings and guidance from the ADA and communicate openly about any issues you face to get the most out of your care appointments.

If you are newly diagnosed, ask your healthcare provider what treatment plan may be effective for glucose and weight management. If you are on treatment for your type 2 diabetes and struggling with glucose or weight management, ask your healthcare provider if there are other treatment options to consider. You can be a champion for meeting your health goals.

¹Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Type 2 Diabetes. Published April 18, 2023. Accessed October 12, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/type2.html

²Mayo Clinic. Type 2 Diabetes. Published March 14, 2023. Accessed October 12, 2023. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/type-2-diabetes/symptoms-causes/syc-20351193

³Sims TJ, Boye KS, Robinson S, Kennedy-Martin T. Treatment-related attributes of diabetes therapies and how people with type 2 diabetes report their impact on indicators of medication-taking behaviors. Patient Prefer Adherence. 2022;16:1919-1939. doi:10.2147/PPA.S367046

⁴Sarah E. Curtis MPH, Kristina S. Boye P, Maureen J. Lage P, Luis-Emilio Garcia-Perez MD. Medication adherence and improved outcomes among patients with type 2 diabetes. Am J Manag Care. 2017;23(7):e208-e214.

⁵ElSayed NA, Aleppo G, Aroda VR, et al. 6. Glycemic targets: standards of care in diabetes—2023. Diabetes Care. 2023;46(Supplement_1):S97-S110. doi:10.2337/dc23-S006

⁶ElSayed NA, Aleppo G, Aroda VR, et al. 8. Obesity and weight management for the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes: standards of care in diabetes—2023. Diabetes Care. 2023;46(Supplement_1):S128-S139. doi:10.2337/dc23-S008

⁷Sainz N. dStigmatize: Ending Diabetes Stigma. DiaTribe. Published February 22, 2022. Accessed October 12, 2023. https://diatribe.org/dstigmatize-ending-diabetes-stigma

⁸Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Diabetes Statistics Report website. Published November 29, 2023. Accessed February 16, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/data/statistics-report/index.html