Reduce the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes

At this week’s  Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society Conference, Royal Philips, a global leader in health technology, announced  Jovia Coach, a new smartphone app that combines technology with human coaching for people at-risk of type 2 diabetes.

The program supports participants to adopt the dietary, lifestyle and exercise habits aiming to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. This latest enhancement to its personal health programs reinforces Philips’ commitment to enhancing overall population health ‘ helping individuals to live more healthily, while supporting health networks in their provision of proactive, preventative services to their communities.

“With the prevalence of diabetes on the rise, today, more than 400 million people worldwide live with diabetes and this number is projected to rise to 642 million by 2040 ‘ that’s one in every ten adults,” said J’rgen Behrens, Business Leader Personal Health Solutions, Philips. “Through our personal health programs, including our new Jovia Coach, we are committed to helping guide people to take small steps to improve their health, with the ultimate goal of helping them lower their risk of this condition.”

Jovia Coach aims to help users take small steps to better their health and accompanies them wherever they go.

Changing one’s lifestyle is extremely challenging, but can have a big impact on people’s current and future health. Jovia Coach aims to help users take small steps to better their health and accompanies them wherever they go. Via the mobile app, users will receive skill-building content and have the ability to complete challenges and tasks, track meals and physical activity, and interact with a personal lifestyle coach and a peer group.

Type 2 diabetes accounts for at least 90 percent1 of all diabetes cases and is characterized by insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency. Type 2 diabetes may remain undiagnosed for many years and the diagnosis is often made when a complication appears. It is estimated that 12 percent of the global health expenditure is spent on diabetes.2

“Many cases of type 2 diabetes can be prevented by addressing behavioral risk factors such as unhealthy eating, being over-weight and lack of exercise,” said Jan Kimpen, Chief Medical Officer, Philips.

Jovia Coach aims to support users to develop and maintain healthy eating patterns and physical activity habits, and foster the skills they need to navigate their social environment and overcome barriers. Jovia Coach is part of Philips’ personal health programs which represents a new era in connected care by helping people make small, meaningful changes, which sustained over time, can help people be healthier. The program will be available in the U.S. in English and Spanish during the second quarter and offered through employee benefit programs and health insurance.