For millions of people living with diabetes, continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) provide significant, potentially life-changing benefits for diabetes management and, in turn, for avoidance or delay of serious comorbidities, hospitalizations, and even death. Those living with type 1 and type 2 diabetes who use a CGM are shown to have less hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) and a reduction in their A1C (average blood glucose over the past two to three months). The ADA’s research shows that those from under-resourced communities consistently lack access to lifesaving CGMs.
Our studies show:
- Individuals covered by Medicaid are least likely to get a CGM, especially if they are people of color.
- Medicaid utilization of CGMs is consistently lowest in the Southeast, where the state poverty rate is above the state average and the diabetes mortality rate is above 20%.
- Older Americans are less likely to get CGMs than young Americans with diabetes.
Notable demographic stats:
- Diabetes is the eighth leading cause of death in the United States.
- $412.9 billion is the estimated total cost of diagnosed diabetes in the United States in 2022.
- 2.3x higher medical expenses for individuals with diabetes compared to those without
