Abbott has rolled out an installation at the Oculus Center in New York City for National Diabetes Awareness Month, highlighting patient stories focused on diabetes.
The installation — which will also feature comedian and talk show host Sherri Shepherd — seeks to market Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system to the general public.
The goal is to raise awareness about CGMs, given that there are more than half a billion people living with diabetes globally, though only 1% are using the technology, according to Abbott.
CGMs help patients with diabetes track how their food intake, activity and medications impacts their glucose levels — and can help patients lower their hemoglobin A1C levels.
The Countdown at a Crossroads campaign seeks to drive home the message that information gathered with the FreeStyle Libre system can empower people to find greater control over their diabetes management decisions.
Shepherd herself discusses her personal experience using the FreeStyle Libre system, and noted she was partnering with Abbott to help raise awareness about the product. Shepherd is best known for her daytime talk show, Sherri, and previously was a co-host of The View.
“Using a FreeStyle Libre sensor to monitor my glucose levels has helped me get a better grasp on my Type 2 diabetes and ultimately improve my quality of living,” Shepherd said in a statement. “Many people living with diabetes aren’t aware of this incredible life-changing technology and Abbott’s efforts to make it accessible. The goal of ‘Countdown at a Crossroads’ is to change that — and I am energized to help by fostering awareness.”
For every visit to the Countdown at a Crossroads campaign website, Abbott will donate $1 to the American Diabetes Association’s Health Equity Now program.
Abbott has been homing in on its CGM recently in the diabetes marketing space, including launching an app in collaboration with WeightWatchers earlier this fall. The app allows people who follow the WW Diabetes-Tailored Plan to access Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre 2 to help them manage glucose levels during their weight loss journey.
“Through our partnership, members of the WW Diabetes-Tailored Plan can see within one app how food and activity impact their glucose levels with data backed by our FreeStyle Libre 2 system, so they can make healthy lifestyle choices,” Dr. Mahmood Kazemi, chief medical officer at Abbott’s diabetes care business, said in a statement at the time.