The adoption of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices among insulin-treated older adults with type 2 diabetes has seen a significant rise over recent years. However, this growth is not uniformly distributed, revealing notable disparities across different racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups.
Rising Adoption Rates Highlight Technological Advancement
Data from Medicare and Optum’s Clinformatics databases indicate a substantial increase in CGM initiation rates between 2013 and 2022. Specifically, Medicare rates surged from 107 to 5,249 per 100,000 individuals, while Clinformatics reported an increase from 796 to 9,195 per 100,000. These figures reflect the growing recognition of CGM’s benefits in managing diabetes effectively among the elderly population.
Persistent Disparities Undermine Equitable Healthcare Access
Despite the overall rise in CGM usage, significant disparities persist. Hispanic and Black patients are less likely to receive CGM devices compared to their White counterparts. Additionally, older individuals and those living in low socioeconomic status areas exhibit lower uptake rates. Clinical factors such as a history of hypoglycemia and lower frailty scores positively influence CGM initiation.
- CGM adoption rates have increased but remain below 10% among the target population.
- Racial and ethnic minorities face barriers to accessing CGM technology.
- Socioeconomic status significantly impacts the likelihood of CGM initiation.
- Clinical history plays a crucial role in determining CGM usage.
The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to bridge the gap in CGM accessibility. Addressing the underlying socioeconomic and racial barriers can ensure that the benefits of advanced diabetes management technologies are equitably distributed. Healthcare policies and practitioner awareness must evolve to prioritize inclusivity, ensuring that all insulin-treated older adults with type 2 diabetes have the opportunity to utilize CGM devices effectively.
This article has been prepared with the assistance of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more details, please refer to our Terms and Conditions. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author.
