Public Health Wales: Diabetes management and prevention

Public Health Wales (PHW) has appointed Healthia to lead a Digital Diabetes Discovery, as part of the Tackling Diabetes Together Programme. This project will help transform how Type 2 diabetes is prevented and managed in Wales, using digital innovation to empower individuals, enhance care delivery, and reduce health inequalities.

Wales has proportionally the highest levels of diabetes in the UK, with more than 220,000 people currently living with diabetes. If current trends continue, by 2035 it is expected that there will be an additional 48,000 people living with the disease - equating to one in 11 adults. Most of those living with diabetes in Wales have type 2 diabetes, a serious and sometimes lifelong condition which can cause major health problems.

The Diabetes Digital Discovery will develop an evidence-based framework to guide strategic decisions on digital and telecare/telehealth investments, ensuring maximum impact across the eight care processes for diabetes management.

A user-centred approach to prevention and care

The approach places people living with diabetes, their families, carers, and healthcare professionals at the centre of every decision. Through co-design and research with a diverse range of stakeholders, including seldom-heard groups, Healthia are mapping user needs and identifying system pain points across the diabetes care journey.

This insight will then inform a robust evaluation framework to assess digital tools, uncovering opportunities to enhance prevention efforts, empower self-management, and deliver equitable care.

Reducing health inequalities

A focus of this project is addressing disparities in health outcomes. By understanding the barriers faced by underserved communities, the project will ensure digital tools and solutions are accessible, inclusive, and impactful for everyone. The work will include understanding of rural communities, individuals with low digital literacy, and those with limited access to traditional healthcare services, fostering a more equitable future.

Supporting Wales’ prevention vision

This project will contribute to the transformative work of the Tackling Diabetes Together Programme, that has been set up by Public Health Wales with the aim of bringing about a step-change in diabetes management and prevention across Wales. The programme is taking a system wide approach collaborating across NHS Wales, the clinical diabetes network, third-sector partners, communities and those living with diabetes to enable the benefits of focussing on prevention, and effective care for those living with diabetes. 

By 2028/9, the programme is committed to achieving two strategic objectives: 

1. Have more people living well with diabetes (Types 1 and 2) as measured through a reduction in amputations and other diabetes pathways.

2. Have stopped the prevalence of diabetes increasing, focusing principally on Type 2 diabetes. 

Healthia will build on their experience through previous service design and user research projects for NHS England, NHS Gloucestershire, NHS Mid and South Essex, NHS BNSSG as well as for charities like Macmillan and Breast Cancer Now.

The Digital Diabetes Discovery will not only shape investments in digital tools but also strengthen prevention efforts, improve outcomes, and alleviate pressures on the healthcare system.

Louisa Nolan, Head of Data Science at Public Health Wales, said:

“This discovery project is a vital step towards improving how we support people living with Type 2 diabetes in Wales. By exploring innovative digital tools and addressing health inequalities, we can empower individuals to manage their health more effectively, enabling them to live healthier, longer lives.

Sam Menter, Managing Director at Healthia said:

“This project is a chance to transform diabetes care in Wales by combining cutting-edge digital innovation with a deep understanding of what people need. By working closely with PHW and communities, we can advance the NHS’s prevention agenda and tackle health inequalities head-on.”

About Public Health Wales

Public Health Wales is the national public health institute for Wales. 

• We’re your primary source of trusted public health information, independent expertise and world-class research and innovation, to help everyone in Wales live healthier lives. 

• With our partners across government, third sector and local communities, our teams work to prevent disease, protect health and provide specialist expertise.

• Together we aim to reduce inequalities, increase healthy life expectancy and improve health and wellbeing for everyone in Wales, now and for future generations. 

Public Health Wales. Working together for a healthier Wales. More information about Public Health Wales.  

About Healthia

‍Healthia is a collaborative service design consultancy with over a decade of experience working across health and care—NHS, public health, health tech and third sector. The team uncovers evidence around where to invest for impact, to understand what people need and to align stakeholders. They co-design change; identify and prototype opportunities for innovation and build robust cases for investment.

This approach delivers better outcomes through needs-based transformation, confidence in investment decisions and better experiences for patients, clinicians and staff.

Problems Worth Solving is a monthly podcast featuring people transforming health and care.