In the United Kingdom, diabetes technology has rapidly advanced over the past two decades, with platforms like Glooko playing a central role in simplifying care and management.
In honor of Diabetes Week U.K. (9 June to 15), we’re taking a look at the state of diabetes, technology designed to better manage the condition, and the outlook on the evolution of diabetes care and technology.
The State of Diabetes in the United Kingdom
Diabetes is a significant public health concern in the U.K. According to Diabetes U.K., more than 5.8 million people are currently living with the condition. Of these, approximately 4.6 million have been diagnosed and an estimated 1.3 million people may be living with undiagnosed Type 2 diabetes.
Of those diagnosed with diabetes in the U.K., Type 2 diabetes accounts for approximately 90% of cases. While risk factors for Type 1 diabetes include family history and the presence of other autoimmune conditions, Type 2 diabetes risk is heightened obesity, family history, a history of gestational diabetes, specific medications, and other factors.
To address the growing prevalence of diabetes and support those affected, the National Health Service (NHS) offers various education programs aimed at empowering individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to manage their diabetes effectively, improve health outcomes, and reduce the risk of complications.
For individuals with Type 2 diabetes, programs like DESMOND (Diabetes Education and Self-Management for Ongoing and Newly Diagnosed) and the X-PERT Diabetes Programme provide education on managing the condition through lifestyle changes and self-monitoring. For those with Type 1 diabetes, the DAFNE (Dose Adjustment For Normal Eating) program offers guidance on insulin management and dietary considerations and Digibete helps young people, families, and communities better manage Type 1 diabetes. Additionally, the VICTOR program is designed for adults with Type 2 diabetes who are on insulin therapy and focuses on adjusting insulin doses in response to routine changes.
Diabetes Technology Today
In the U.K., diabetes technology is advancing quickly with Glooko helping streamline data management across compatible diabetes and health monitoring devices, including:
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Hybrid closed loop (HCL) systems, which combine continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) with insulin pumps to automatically adjust insulin delivery based on real-time data.
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Devices like Tandem t:slim X2 require cable downloads, while mylife Loop powered by CamAPS® FX and Omnipod® 5 use cloud-to-cloud integration.
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CGMs provide glucose trends and alerts and are often compatible with pumps and cloud platforms.
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Abbott FreeStyle Libre CGMs data can be seen within Glooko through the upload of data from HCL-compatible insulin pumps.
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Fitness and health monitoring apps can track steps, weight, and blood pressure.
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Smart pens and connected pens allow for remote or in-clinic dose tracking.
Transforming Diabetes Care in the United Kingdom with Glooko
Across the country, more than 85,000 people living with diabetes use Glooko’s digital health platform to manage their diabetes and more than 500 clinics are using Glooko to provide better care to their patients.*
Through our data*, we identified key metrics for time in range for people with Type 1, Type 2, and gestational diabetes in the U.K. using Glooko during 2024.
|
Type |
Time In Range (TIR) | 3.9-10 mmol/l |
Time in Tight Range (TITR) | 3.9-7.8 mmol/l |
|---|---|---|
|
Type 1 Diabetes |
64% |
41% |
|
Type 2 Diabetes |
58% |
34% |
|
Gestational Diabetes |
74% |
50% |
Today, there is an increased interest in TITR and TIR as a result of the recent technology available for managing diabetes. The Glooko diabetes data management platform helps healthcare providers monitor TIR and TITR to improve glycemic outcomes for people living with diabetes, bringing data from multiple devices into one platform with comprehensive charts and graphs. It ensures consistent data access — even without connected devices — and meets high standards for data protection, including GDPR compliance, to support safe, effective, and standardised diabetes care.
The Future of Diabetes Care in the United Kingdom
The future of diabetes care in the U.K. lies in advancing technology and deeper collaboration. Recent key developments include moving towards fully closed loop systems, integrating AI-enabled personalized insights, and aligning diabetes management with weight loss medications. Continued innovation will help provide more tailored, effective treatment options for people living with diabetes.
Progress also depends on strong partnerships with leading diabetes organisations like the Diabetes Technology Network (DTN-UK) and Diabetes National Networking Forums (NNF).
The future of diabetes care in the U.K. lies in advancing technology and deeper collaboration. Recent key developments include moving towards fully closed loop systems, integrating AI-enabled personalized insights, and aligning diabetes management with weight loss medications. Continued innovation will help provide more tailored, effective treatment options for people living with diabetes.
By showcasing technologies such as hybrid closed loop systems at local events from these leading organisations and through initiatives like our Academy program, a collaboration between Glooko and the Association of British Clinical Diabetologists(ABCD)/DTN-UK providing free education for medical professionals in the U.K., we help educate, support, and empower both clinicians and people living with diabetes across the country.
*Internal Glooko data; based on active Glooko users that synced during 2024
