BIRMINGHAM, A.L. , June 6, 2022 / — Researchers at Pack Health have presented an oral presentation at the American Diabetes Association’s 82nd Scientific Session that was also selected as a Health Disparities Committee Top 10 Abstract.

In a study from researchers at Pack Health, food insecure individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) lowered their hemoglobin A1c levels and scores for diabetes distress and food insecurity within 3 months of entering a health-plan sponsored program that combined digital health coaching with bi-weekly food delivery. The study is titled “Outcomes of a Digital Health Coaching Program Integrating Food Delivery for a Population of Adults with T2DM at Risk of Food Insecurity (170-OR).” Earlier this year, Quest Diagnostics acquired Pack Health, a patient engagement company specializing in comprehensively addressing chronic conditions and comorbidities influenced by lifestyle behaviors, access to care, and social determinants of health (SDOH). Pack Health provides the only fully digital diabetes self-management solution recommended by the ADA’s diabetes support directory.

Individuals with T2DM were enrolled in a payor-supported DHC program and screened for food insecurity through social worker, provider, or payor records. A retrospective analysis compared data from baseline to 3-months of enrollment to evaluate T2DM-related outcomes.

Of the 1093 individuals who completed baseline assessments, 75% completed 3 months of DHC. This population was primarily female (74%) , racially/ethnically diverse (38% Black, 54% white, 8% other or multi-racial), with an average age of 53. At 3 months, there were significant improvements in mean scores on the Diabetes Distress Score (2.76 to 2.09, p<0.001) , HbA1c (8.22 to 7.52, p<0.001) , and USDA Food Security Survey (2.49 to 1.39, p<0.001) among evaluable participants (n=710) .

This study was selected as an American Diabetes Association Health Disparities Committee Top 10 Recommended Abstract for its focus on health care disparities and inequities in diabetes outcomes.

“We were thrilled to be selected as a Health Disparities Committee Top 10 Abstract,” says Sarah Rutland, PhD, Senior Manager of Program Discovery at Pack Health and lead researcher. “The results of this work showed promising results for a digital health coaching program with integrated food delivery. This demonstrates that addressing basic needs such as food security can contribute to improved clinical and quality of life outcomes for individuals with T2DM.”