The COVID-19 pandemic has added an enormous toll to the existing challenge of diabetes care world-wide. A large proportion of patients with COVID-19 requiring hospitalization and/or succumbing to the disease have had diabetes and other chronic conditions as underlying risk factors. In particular, individuals belonging to racial/ethnic minorities in the U.S. and other countries have been significantly and disproportionately impacted. Multiple and complex socioeconomic factors have long played a role in increasing the risk for diabetes and now for COVID-19.
Since the pandemic began, the global healthcare community has accumulated invaluable clinical experience on providing diabetes care in the setting of COVID-19. In addition, understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms that link these two diseases is being developed.
The current clinical management of diabetes is a work in progress, requiring a shift in patient-provider interaction beyond the walls of clinics and hospitals: the use of tele-medicine when feasible, innovative patient education programs, strategies to ensure medication and glucose testing availability and affordability, as well as numerous ideas on how to improve meal plans and physical activity. Notably, this worldwide experience offers us the possibility to not only prepare better for future disasters but also transform diabetes care beyond the COVID-19 era.
The COVID-19 pandemic has added an enormous toll to the existing challenge of diabetes care worldwide
Diabetes and other chronic conditions increase the risk of hospitalization and death from COVID-19
Comprehensive management of diabetes and common comorbidities is crucial to reducing morbidity and mortality rates
Individuals from racial or ethnic minorities have been disproportionately impacted by diabetes and COVID-19
Socioeconomic factors should be acknowledged and addressed at multiple levels to reduce diabetes & COVID-19 disease burdens
Lessons learned during this pandemic should influence the future of both disaster-based and routine diabetes care