Dexcom, Inc., a leader in continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) for patients with diabetes, announced today it has partnered with multi-talented recording artist and actor, Nick Jonas, who has type 1 diabetes, to raise awareness of the benefits of CGM for people with diabetes.
Jonas will share his personal story and views on living with diabetes and his use of Dexcom technology to help him monitor his glucose levels and manage his diabetes while he pursues and lives his dream.
With approximately 29.1 million Americans living with diabetes, education on disease management is crucial to living with the condition day-to-day. The growth of continuous glucose monitoring systems, like the Dexcom G4 PLATINUM, has helped patients with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes understand valuable information about their glucose levels and trends, a key aspect to controlling the disease and staying healthy.
“When I was first diagnosed, I was scared that I would no longer be able to do what I love but I made a commitment to take control of my diabetes and not let it slow me down,” said Nick Jonas. “The Dexcom CGM is an amazing step forward in the battle against diabetes and gives me the tools and confidence I need to feel in control so I can continue to follow my dreams.”
Jonas was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at the age of 13 while on tour with his brothers. Rapid weight loss, fatigue and other symptoms led to a quick diagnosis of type 1 diabetes but Jonas was determined not to let it stand in the way of achieving his dreams. In collaborating with Dexcom, he hopes to spread awareness for CGM and provide encouragement for those impacted by diabetes to take control of the disease and continue to do the things they enjoy.
“We are thrilled to be collaborating with Nick Jonas on this educational campaign,” stated Kevin Sayer, Chief Executive Officer of Dexcom. “As someone who has truly benefited from CGM, Nick’s support in raising further awareness for management options and living life to the fullest with diabetes will augment our ongoing efforts to educate people about how they can best manage their diabetes. We believe Nick’s story will help inspire those who struggle with this disease on a daily basis.”
Continuous glucose monitoring is considered the most significant breakthrough in diabetes management in the past 40 years. The traditional standard-of-care for glucose (blood sugar) monitoring has been a finger stick meter. CGM augments the use of glucose meters for the management of diabetes. Meters are still required to calibrate CGMs and for guidance in making therapy and meal decisions. CGM is important because, in addition to providing the glucose level, it provides the direction and rate of glucose change with the push of a button and alerts users when glucose is too low or too high.
Diabetes affects 10% of the American population and is the 7th leading cause of death in the United States. Approximately 1.25 million people have type 1 diabetes. With diabetes, the body cannot produce or use the hormone insulin effectively, causing a buildup of glucose, or sugar, in the blood. It is estimated that approximately 86 million Americans over the age of 20 years old are at risk for developing diabetes (primarily Type 2), largely due to obesity, physical inactivity and poor diet. People with diabetes who take insulin must monitor their blood glucose levels frequently. Uncontrolled glucose can cause health complications and even death.
For more information on Nick Jonas and Dexcom’s collaboration, please visit www.dexcom.com/nick-jonas.
Source: PR Newswire
