Higi rolls out ADA-powered diabetes risk assessment to its health stations
Consumer health engagement company Higi has added a new feature to its health stations. The company, in partnership with the American Diabetes Association, now is offering a free self-service Type 2 diabetes risk assessment that combines station measurements with a consumer-reported health survey.
Responses to the survey are entered as inputs into the ADA’s Type 2 diabetes risk calculator and the user is given a risk score, with high-risk individuals informed that they should consult with their physician. The company noted that the risk assessment is non-diagnostic in nature, and that only clinicians with supporting lab work can diagnose prediabetes or diabetes.
“Eighty-four million American adults have prediabetes and 90% of them don’t know it,” said Tracey Brown, CEO of the American Diabetes Association. “I'm excited about the collaboration with Higi as we take on this diabetes epidemic together. There are millions of people that have no idea whether they have diabetes or prediabetes. Our goal is to make it easier for people to know their risks, know their numbers and take action. The way to do this is by meeting people where they are--right in their own communities.”
Brown noted that the collaboration with Higi adds 10,000 retail locations where the ADA can reach consumers. “They can sit down and within a few minutes have a clear understanding of their risk for type 2 diabetes. In most cases, at a Higi Health Station the consumer is within steps of a pharmacist, and if the risk is high, there is a clinical resource immediately available who can help guide them to the appropriate next step,” Brown said.
In the past year, Higi said it has enabled consumers to complete more than 35 million screenings and assess their understanding of Type 2 diabetes risk factors more than 4 million times. The new assessment comes with digital educational resources and and recommended steps that are sent via email for users at all risk levels.
“We are thrilled to offer this new assessment to our users in partnership with the ADA and in support of Higi retailers who are on the front lines of prevention and better management of this devastating, but often preventable disease” says Jeff Bennett, CEO at Higi. “Every 21 seconds, someone new is diagnosed with diabetes. By meeting consumers in their neighborhoods and providing them with the tools, education and resources to better manage their health, we will help change this statistic. “
Higi Health Stations currently are located at participating Ahold Delhaize, Albertsons, Giant Eagle, H-E-B, Kroger, Meijer, Publix Super Markets, Sam’s Club, Supervalu, Wakefern, Walgrens and Wegman’s stores.