american diabetes month social media toolkit

These studies mostly targeted young people affected with T1D. On the other hand, 13 RCTs reported significant improvements in HbA 1c values among all the study participants, independently of whether they were allocated to the group where social media was used or not. In the latter, a significant mean reduction in HbA 1c values was found, favoring the social media group (0.49%, 95% CI −0.64 to −0.34, I 2=86%). In one of these systematic reviews two analyses were performed: one of them was a meta-analysis including RCTs only in the second analysis, nonrandomized studies were also included. This effect has been reported in 2 systematic reviews summarizing the evidence from studies focusing on both type one diabetes (T1D) and type two diabetes (T2D) and in 2 RCTs focusing specifically on T1D.

On one hand, 4 publications reported significant improvements in HbA 1c values, favoring the groups that used social media comparison with control groups. Eighteen publications evaluated HbA 1c values and reported heterogeneous effects.

The main reported clinical outcome was glycated hemoglobin (HbA 1c). Hence, the objective of this paper was to review and describe the current evidence on the use of social media in interventions targeting people with diabetes. An updated status on the evidence that exists regarding the use and usefulness of social media in diabetes is essential. Due to its ubiquity, a health promotion intervention using social media, aimed at people affected by diabetes and their relatives, is now being initiated by our research team. Norway is one of the most connected countries in the world, and most of the Norwegian population uses social media. Furthermore, a third meta-analysis concluded that using social media did not contribute to reducing risk factors in patients with noncommunicable diseases. However, 2 other meta-analyses have reported mixed results regarding the use of social media in health interventions.

However, it is not well known whether the use of these channels in interventions can help improve diabetic patients’ outcomes, and the evidence of using social media in interventions for people with diabetes needs to be updated.Įvidence on positive effects of social media interventions on health behavior-related outcomes (ie, weight loss and physical activity) exists in 2 meta-analyses focusing on several health conditions. The use of social media has increased dramatically in the recent years, and social media channels could be effective in supporting clinical practice and delivering education to improve self-management and to promote a positive behavior change among people affected with chronic diseases. To support clinical practice, health authorities recommend educating diabetic patients and their families and initiating prevention measures aimed at improving self-management and promoting a positive behavior change, thereby reducing the risk of complications. All types of diabetes can lead to complications, reduce the quality of life, and increase the risk of premature death. The prevalence of diabetes has been growing worldwide for the last few decades, and it has become one of the four priority noncommunicable diseases targeted by world leaders, together with cardiovascular disease, cancer, and chronic respiratory disease.

American diabetes month social media toolkit