Preventing type 2 diabetes

The Social Issue

Diabetes is a global health epidemic, affecting hundreds of millions of people worldwide. The World Health Organization projects that diabetes will be the 7^th leading cause of death by 2030. The disease often brings with it health complications including limb amputation, blindness, and heart disease.

Today, Israel is home to about 500,000 diagnosed diabetics. In addition, there are roughly another 500,000 pre-diabetic patients who are at high risk of contracting the disease.

Although Israel´s health system is designed to guarantee treatment to patients with disease, not enough resources are available for preventative measures. As a result, patients often receive treatment only after the onset of the disease or related complications. As the single most effective form of preventing type 2 diabetes is to implement lifestyle modifications, SFI set out to make a change.

It goes without saying that the health challenges that face a diabetic patient are dreadful. Unfortunately, type 2 diabetes is detrimental to the patient´s economic wellbeing as well as that of Israel at large.

1.    The patient and their family may suffer from mental distress, deteriorated health, loss of working days and diminished earning capacity.

2.    The Israeli economy has seen the cost of treating type 2 diabetes rise to almost NIS 5B a year, which is divided among the budgets of several government ministries. These costs include medical expenses, hospitalization stays, insurance costs and disability benefits.

This SIB implements a five-year intervention program that is centered on personalized lifestyle modifications. The program will work with three separate cohorts of pre-diabetics at high risk of contracting the disease. Over the course of two years, participants will be motivated to improve their lifestyle, receiving guidance in nutrition and exercise, constant mentorship and oversight from a case manager. The program will make use of technologies such as wearable fitness devices and mobile applications, to provide participants and managers with real-time analysis of progress, as well as means of instant communication and support. After patients complete two years of activities, their blood measurements will be tracked for a further three years, and the impact of the program will be assessed.

 As one of the world´s first Social Impact Bonds in preventative health care, this SIB is attracting global interest. The underlying intervention is centered on implementing behavioral and lifestyle changes that can effectively lead to the reversing of diabetes symptoms and prevent its onset.