Tidepool to address the ‘unmet’ needs of women with diabetes

Experts in the women’s health and endocrinology space will join Tidepool as members of its advisory council to drive innovation and support women with diabetes.

The California-based nonprofit software development organisation aims to make diabetes data more accessible and actionable.

It originally started the Tidepool Period Project in 2021 with a pilot dedicated to collecting the largest data set of combined diabetes and menstruation data to advance innovation.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is estimated that one out of every nine women in the US is living with diabetes.

Hormonal shifts that occur as a result of puberty, menopause, and menstruation can add an entirely new level of complexity to managing blood glucose levels.

The Tidepool Period Project aims to give women access to tools, evidence and educational resources to support the management of insulin-requiring diabetes.

Dr Eda Cengiz, associate professor of pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco and Dr Katarina Braune, pediatrician and digital clinician scientist in the Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes at Institute of Medical Informatics Charité, will join the Tidepool team.

Dr Cengiz and Dr Braune will also join the company as part of its advisory team accompanying an existing group of thought-leaders.

“When it comes to diabetes and menstruation, few people understand the need for this space better than Dr Cengiz and Dr Braune, and we are thrilled for these researchers to bring their expertise to help shape the Tidepool Period Project,” said Dr Rayhan Lal, assistant professor of pediatric and adult endocrinology at Stanford and chief medical advisor at Tidepool.

“We have been making speculations regarding the specific factors contributing to the disparities in diabetes outcomes across the sexes, and the lack of research in this area is confounding.

“I look forward to working with the Tidepool team on bridging this gap,” Cengiz added.

Women have been underrepresented in medical studies despite the recent boom of digital technology solutions for women.

Dr Braune, who is joining the company’s team, said: “It’s an injustice that more research has not been funded in this area.

“I am extremely proud to partner with Tidepool to change this, and excited for all that we will accomplish together.”