Mountain View, CA: January 24, 2018 – Livongo Health, the leading consumer digital health company focused on empowering all people with chronic conditions to live better and healthier lives, today announced that eligible members of the Livongo for Diabetes program will have access to the new Livongo for Hypertension program. In addition, Livongo will offer a stand-alone hypertension solution to new members.
Diabetes and hypertension are the fastest growing and most expensive chronic conditions in the United States, accounting for 176 billion dollars¹ and 131 billion dollars of direct medical costs, respectively². By improving blood pressure control, through lifestyle changes (such as nutrition and exercise), and optimizing medications, people can reduce the chance of heart attack and stroke by 50 percent³.
Cardiovascular care is the most important factor in avoiding long term, expensive complications of diabetes⁴. Nearly 65 percent of people using Livongo for Diabetes also have hypertension⁵. By offering an integrated platform, Livongo is the first digital health company focused on managing both diabetes and high blood pressure.
“Controlling blood pressure is the single most important modifiable risk factor people can address to reduce the risk of heart attack and strokes”, said Eric D. Peterson, MD, MPH. “According to the most recent guideline recommendations by the American Heart Association, less than 50 percent of Americans have their blood pressure controlled. We need innovative solutions to empower individuals to monitor their blood pressure and give them the tools to positively impact their numbers outside of traditional clinical settings.”
By addressing multiple chronic conditions on one platform, Livongo can better understand the personal health narrative of each member. Using reinforcement learning, Livongo will offer real-time recommendations that are tailored to each person’s unique health experience. This personalized approach will focus on the health needs of the whole person: physically, mentally, and emotionally.
“Most of us are living with, and have to manage, more than just one chronic condition and we don’t want to manage multiple platforms, health coaches, and solutions from different companies,” said Livongo Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Jennifer Schneider. “We simply want to know what steps we should take to be our healthiest selves. We are excited to announce the Livongo for Hypertension program as our entrance into the cardiovascular space so that we can accomplish our goal of empowering all people with chronic conditions to live better and healthier lives.”
Livongo has demonstrated positive health outcomes⁶, and studies show that Livongo delivers cost savings⁷. Nearly 300 organizations, including Fortune 500 employers, innovative health systems, and the largest health plans and pharmacy benefit managers, have implemented Livongo.
About Livongo Health
Livongo has a vision of empowering all people with chronic conditions to live better and healthier lives. We are redesigning chronic condition management, starting with diabetes, by driving behavior change through the combination of consumer health technology, personalized recommendations, and real-time support at the point of impact. Powered by advanced analytics, we create personalized experiences for our members so they receive the right information, tools, and support, at the right time. Our approach is leading to better financial and clinical outcomes while creating a better experience for all people with chronic conditions and their care team of family, friends, and medical professionals.
For more information visit: www.livongo.com.
1. American Diabetes Association. The Cost of Diabetes. http://www.diabetes.org/advocacy/news-events/cost-of-diabetes.html.
2. American Heart Association. Projections of Cardiovascular Disease Prevalence and Costs: 2015-2035. November 2016. Available at http://www.heart.org/idc/groups/heart-public/@wcm/@adv/documents/downloadable/ucm_491513.pdfOpens PDF. Accessed on January 11, 2018.
3. American Heart Association. Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics 2017 Update. March 2017. Available at http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/circulationaha/early/2017/01/25/CIR.000000000000048
4. full.pdf Accessed on October 12, 2017.
5. Schutta, M. H. (2007), Diabetes and Hypertension: Epidemiology of the Relationship and Pathophysiology of Factors Associated With These Comorbid Conditions. Journal of the CardioMetabolic Syndrome, 2: 124–130. doi:10.1111/j.1559-4564.2007.06368.x
6. Livongo database
7. Downing J, Bollyky J, Schneider J. Use of a Connected Glucose Meter and Certified Diabetes Educator Coaching to Decrease the Likelihood of Abnormal Blood Glucose Excursions: The Livongo for Diabetes Program. J Med Internet Res 2017;19(7):e234, DOI: 10.2196/jmir.6659
8. Presentation at the 77th Annual American Diabetes Association’s Scientific Sessions