Who is being left behind by the march of technology?

The ever onward march of technology is discriminating against large numbers of the global population as we discovered from questions we posed of healthcare professionals visiting our stand at EASD in Berlin last October.


When it comes to diabetes, a disease that predominantly affects people with low incomes and other disadvantages, the ability to self manage their disease could be a major factor in slowing down the epidemic.

According to latest figures from the IDF: “It is now recognized that it is the low- and middle-income countries that presently face the greatest burden of diabetes, where there is substantial evidence that diabetes is epidemic”

The problem is that manufacturers are in constant competition to develop ever more sophisticated devices, and often little thought is given to the presentation of educational materials for patients.
Kylene Ross, CMR’s US Development Manager, believes that manufacturers need to pay more attention to cultural nuances as well as issues of literacy and poverty that exist in many areas where diabetes is now taking hold.

“We asked a basic question of healthcare professionals every day during the conference: Who is not being considered (in technological development)?

“There was a range of answers: from illiteracy, lack of accessibility in more remote areas, to the physically disadvantaged, the aging population and people on low incomes not being considered.

“Because diabetes is such a far reaching disease it’s incredibly important for patients to be able to understand the nature and processes involved in their treatments and to have access and support regardless of their ability to use technology.

“From talking to HCPs from many different nations at EASD it’s also clear to us that there’s a big disparity in the availability of diabetes devices across the world, which reinforces just how different populations have such differing experiences of treatment,” added Kylene.

Now, more than ever, the way the industry communicates to people with diabetes must become more inclusive. Diabetes is now becoming a major issue in populations and cultures which were previously unaffected.

Again, from the IDF: “Within ethnic groups, high rates of type 2 diabetes are usually found in migrant or urbanized populations that may have experienced a greater degree of lifestyle change. The lowest rates are generally found in rural communities where people have lifestyles incorporating high levels of physical activity.”

It is time we in the West, take responsibility for having given our western lifestyle changes to the less developed nations, and do our part in helping to widen the access to treatment and devices by giving proper thought to their needs.