How digital health is making early type 1 diabetes screening easier

(BPT) - By Mariano Bendersky, Head of Digital Healthcare & Innovation, U.S. Autoimmune T1D at Sanofi

Sponsored by Sanofi

Healthcare (as we know it) is evolving to meet the needs of an increasingly digital world. Between telehealth adoption and people of all ages embracing "health from home" solutions, it's clear that new tools and resources are shifting how people look at, and manage, their care - expanding preventative care and wellness for communities with unmet needs.

Take the type 1 diabetes (T1D) space, as one example. Today, new and exciting advancements are working to reduce barriers, increase access, and expand optionality when it comes to early T1D autoantibody screening. And it couldn't come at a better time. While T1D screening helps people understand their risk of developing the disease before symptoms (and potentially serious complications) appear, many are unaware that screening exists. Perhaps even more troubling, some have difficulty accessing it.

Thanks to an influx of digital innovation in the existing screening landscape, this is all about to change. Below, take a look at how T1D screening access is transforming in the digital age.

Why T1D screening matters

According to the T1D Index, an estimated 1.6 million people in the U.S. are living with T1D - an autoimmune disease wherein the pancreas makes little to no insulin. The disease doesn't occur overnight; it develops in stages over time. That said, in Stages 1 and 2 of the T1D, there are often no visible signs or symptoms, making it difficult to spot early. As a result, many are forced to find out about their diagnosis in Stage 3, when potentially severe complications can arise.

Unfortunately, according to Global Pediatric Health, as many as four in 10 people don't know they have T1D until they are already in the hospital with life-threatening complications. What's more, a status report in Diabetes shows that up to 90% of people diagnosed with T1D have no family history of the disease. Experiencing a T1D diagnosis like this - in an urgent scenario and with little prior exposure to the disease - can understandably be overwhelming. In an instant, you're thrusted into a new reality that requires 24/7 disease management. For this reason and more, early detection of the disease is valuable because it can offer a precious window of time when individuals can learn more about how to prepare for life with T1D before symptoms arise.

Caption: Your information will be evaluated by a healthcare provider. Credit: Shutterstock

Modernizing T1D screening access

In an effort to complement currently available T1D screening options and bring this potentially life-saving process to the digital age, Screening Central was born. As the first telehealth-enabled, user-initiated platform to request T1D autoantibody screening, Screening Central offers a comprehensive and convenient solution to help with every step of T1D screening. Developed in collaboration with Sanofi, the platform breaks down the process into three steps.

• Getting Started: To start, visit Screening Central and answer a short health history questionnaire.
• Getting Evaluated for Testing: From there, your information will be evaluated by an independent healthcare provider, who will determine whether you are an appropriate candidate for screening. If confirmed, you can decide what your preferred screening method is, which could include talking to your doctor, getting tested at a lab, or participating in research trials.
• Getting Your Results: After that, you will receive a phone call or arrange a televisit to discuss results or you can choose to have results shared directly with your doctor.

In 2025, no one should find out they have T1D in Stage 3 under potentially life-threatening circumstances. By leveraging end-to-end digital health innovation, Screening Central helps overcome existing barriers to screening and makes it easier than ever to put early T1D risk detection first.

As you can see, innovation is truly around every corner in the T1D space. Equipped with breakthrough advancements like Screening Central, now is the time to learn more about T1D and understand if screening is right for you. To learn more about Screening Central - and the other screening options available to you - visit Screen For Type 1.

Sanofi does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment - information is provided for educational purposes only. Your doctor is the best source of health information. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions about your health or treatment.