An innovative pilot programme for young adults aged between 18 and 25 with type 2 diabetes has been launched.
The NHS-university partnership King’s Health Partners and the health app Sweatcoin have collaborated to launch Type 2 Take 2.
As part of this programme, young adults will use Sweatcoin – a health app motivating users to increase physical activity through rewards.
Funded by Partnership Southwark, the six-month in-person pilot programme has been co-created by young adults with type 2 diabetes and health care professionals and is facilitated by a variety of experts.
To enhance learning and engagement between sessions, participants will utilise Sweatcoin to take part in challenges and monitor their progress.
Participants who successfully reach their goals can redeem their earned rewards, sweatcoins, for a variety of vouchers, including health-related products and experiences.
There are five million people in the UK living with type 2 diabetes and societal and business costs of obesity are expected to reach £49.9 billion per year by 2050.
Early intervention is paramount in curtailing the condition. Type 2 diabetes in young adults is known to be more aggressive than in older adults, and if left untreated, it can lead to long term complications.
While many type 2 diabetes education and support initiatives cater to older adults, there is a clear need to develop tailored support programmes that will focus on this younger age group.
The number of young adults with type 2 diabetes has risen by 22 per cent over the last five years alongside obesity.
Sweatcoin, which has proven success in helping older adults manage or even reverse their type 2 diabetes, was the most downloaded health app globally 2022-23, motivating people to move an average of 45 per cent more, uniquely through real-time rewards and gamification.
Headquartered in the UK and downloaded by over 150 million people across the globe, it aims to act as a behavioural nudge, set to change how people view walking as a form of exercise.
The company has already worked alongside South West London Integrated Care System to tackle type 2 diabetes by creating a prevention programme prescribed to at-risk individuals.
Elliot Omari, Health and Wellbeing Practitioner for Type 2 Take 2, said: “Collectively, King’s Health Partners is the largest provider of diabetes and endocrinology services in Europe, so by combining with Sweatcoin’s unique approach to incentivising physical activity through rewards, we hope to empower young adults to effectively manage their diabetes, improve their health outcomes, and go on to live healthier lives.”
Anton Derlyatka, CEO and co-founder of Sweatcoin, commented: “We are honoured to be a part of this initiative, championing a new era of preventative healthcare.
“Despite ongoing efforts to prevent diabetes, only 22 per cent of prevention programmes are being completed. We are looking forward to seeing what we can achieve with Type 2 Take 2!”