Thread by @JasmineSchipp

At #ADA2022 this morning, Dr Anne Peters talking on "diabetes technology - panacea meets reality"

There's been a marked increase in the use of technology in the last decade. Mean A1c has improved significantly, but not enough to meet guidelines. Hospitalisations haven't reduced.

We have to take social determinants of health into account, and common stressors (e.g. deportation, loss of job, imprisonment, food insecurity). Giving people who are struggling devices won't necessarily help, and they're often stolen.

#ADA2022

Having stressors like this makes it really hard to manage an already difficult condition.

It's also really hard to get help if you don't speak English. For example, calling a pump company if you require a translator often involves much longer hold times.

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Measures that make it easier to access insulin show marked improvements e.g. less DKA.

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In Dr Peter's clinic in East LA, they recently had funding for CGMs.

Finally, for her, she is seeing health equity where people have similar access to tech and getting similar TIR, despite where they live (East vs West LA).

#ADA2022

If people have access to the right tools and resources, they can do a lot better.

#ADA2022

At the beginning of her talk, Dr Peters said she's a glass half full kinda person. And that's because of her patients.

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She shares a case study of her patient who recently won two world championships for stand up paddling. In the picture, her arms raised in victory, you can see her insulin pump tucked into her lifejacket.

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There is no panacea for the treatment of diabetes. But our glass is still half full: coupled with education people can have great outcomes. #ADA2022