Nearly 25% of Veterans who receive VA care have diabetes, more than double the rate found in the general population.
Veterans are at higher risk of developing Type-2 diabetes due to service-related chronic pain, joint damage and exposure to herbicides, such as Agent Orange. The disease is the leading cause of blindness, end-stage kidney disease and amputation for Veterans.
VA is at the forefront of diabetes research and is constantly finding innovative solutions to improve diabetic care. This includes expanding its patient-generated health data (PGHD) capabilities so that Veterans’ VA care teams can better monitor their day-to-day health.
The most important patient-generated health data for Veterans with diabetes is blood sugar levels. Veterans can use continuous glucose monitors (CGM), which are prescribed wearable devices, to track their blood sugar levels in real time. VA is making it easier for Veterans’ care teams to access this PGHD. This allows Veterans and their care teams to review the information together, which helps improve recommendations and shared decision-making.
Managing diabetes with continuous glucose monitors
Unlike devices that require finger pricks, a CGM uses a sensor inserted just beneath the skin to take new glucose readings every few minutes. The CGM then transmits the data straight to a smartphone, tablet or computer. Both Veterans and their VA care teams can easily interpret the results.
Some CGMs can load the information directly into VA’s Share My Health Data app. If the Veteran chooses, the app will automatically share the readings with their VA care team after a one-time account connection. VA’s PGHD team has worked to make most VA prescribed CGMs compatible with the Share My Health Data app.
“It’s ultimately about giving Veterans the power to share their health information so that their VA care team can not only look at the data, but then use the data to target their care and provide really on-point interventions for them,” said Rebecca Bixler, a program analyst for VA’s PGHD team.
Holistic care with PGHD
Blood sugar levels aren’t the only PGHD important to a Veteran’s diabetic care. Veterans can also share their blood pressure, blood oxygen levels, step counts and more with their VA care team. The Share My Health Data app collects this information through devices such as smartwatches and activity trackers.
When combined, this health data gives VA staff a holistic overview of a Veteran’s health and helps them detect symptoms or health issues before they become more serious. The data can also help VA providers manage a Veteran’s care between visits as a Veteran may meet with their provider only once or twice a year.
To learn more about PGHD and the Share My Health Data app, visit the PGHD webpage or watch “Your Data Makes a Difference” on VHA’s YouTube channel.
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My husband who also is a Vet has Type 2 diabetes. What would be great if the VA would give out one of the CGMs to sample. Reason why is that he has an allergy to the EKG tabs, Electro stimulus tabs, even paper tape. We would not want to get the unit and find out that for him, he cannot use it. He already tests himself 3x a day to keep his diabetes under control.
All what I can tell you is that when i joun the Army and the us Navy i was tested as a healty Men ready to acomplished any misión and when i got out of the Military 3 years after i got diabetes tipe 2 ,high blood presure,colesterol,ansiety,shortness of breast ,titinus ,ptsd.
The VA Diabetes care is a complete joke. I have tried for quite some time to be seen by a diabetes doctor. They paired me with a pharmacist for more then a year. I was told I could not be seen by a diabetes doctor because my AIC was too low (it was between 7 and 7.5). Unfortunately my AIC increased to 9.5, which according to the VA qualified me to see a diabetes doctor. I was referred to the diabetes clinic. They scheduled me with a pharmacist, twice. I chose not to go down the pharmacist route again with the VA. I chose to see a diabetes doctor outside of the VA, her care has been awesome.
When Do They Give Out CGM Monitirs To Veterans
Article has fallacies. CGM is only available for those who use insulin only. How about those who do not want to use technology? And why would I only visit my doctor only once or twice a year? What about my A1C testing? CGM should be available to all diabetics.
This article has to be a joke. I have used a CGM for several years but the VA would not prescribe it to me so I had to go and get it through a outside doctor who took my A1C level from 10 to a steady 6.5 with a change of meds and CGM {both of which my va doctor would not do}.
While this article has some very good information, VA could do a lot more to help veterans with type 2 diabetes. CGM’s are only available to veterans that are on insulin. This means we have to wait until our diabetes is bad enough to require insulin before we can make use of the valuable information a CGM provides. This is not good medical practice. A CGM is the best tool available to cope with and manage type 2 diabetes, yet we are denied it by the government.
First I have heard about this. When I inquired about the CGM last year, I was told it is for Type 1 Diabetic’s ONLY. Is this still true? Or as a type 2, am I eligible for a CGM? ALM VA, San Antonio TX 78229.
Mr. Collins, you need to honor the Veterans contract and Oath when they signed up for military service and your Oath of office to Defend and protect the Constitution of the United States of America and TEAR UP the LOYALITY CONTRACT you signed with Un-Elected President Musk and Felon Trump. The lie of huge savings is just that a BIG LIE. How much of that money if any will help pay down the national debt or help Veterans with their Healthcare or pay the Veterans more benefit monies???NONE right. QUESTION?? are you an OATH giving Veteran?????
VA should provide monitoring devices for diabetes.
The VA Medical Center Decatur. Ga I feel is really not responding to the patients with type 2 diabetes.
No after care not even diabetic supply’s. I am so very disappointed with the way they treat me as a patient.
I would love a cgm provided for and paid for by the VA . I purchase my 2 cgm cvs at $75/month. I currently participate in the move program . I would love to participate in another program for my diabetes as well.
Ty
Lori
I hear you brother
Great Care for us all..this is Truly a Excellent health care tool..Thanks VA