Survey launched to capture voices of people with diabetes

A new survey has been launched to gather insights into the experiences of people living with diabetes, inviting those affected by the condition to share their perspectives.

Afon Technology has introduced the Living with Diabetes Survey 2024 to outline the challenges individuals with diabetes commonly encounter.

The survey will also collect data on the use of technology for self-management, including tools like continuous glucose monitors and hybrid closed-loop systems.

After a successful response in 2023, the survey is back for a second year, continuing its mission to gather valuable insights and amplify the voices of those living with diabetes.

Sabih Chaudhry, CEO of Afon Technology, said: “This survey represents a vital opportunity for those living with diabetes to share their experiences and voices.

“Following World Diabetes Day, it is a meaningful step towards understanding the realities of managing this condition and building a future where care is informed by the people it impacts most. Your insights are not just valuable—they are essential to creating change.”

He added: “By analysing the insights from this survey, we can refine and enhance Afon’s non-invasive blood glucose monitor.

“This feedback will play a crucial role in elevating its performance, ensuring it becomes a true game-changer in the fight against diabetes, making blood glucose monitoring more accessible, accurate, and user-friendly for people worldwide.”

Scientists at the Monmouthshire-based tech firm are creating the world’s first non-invasive wearable blood glucose sensor, which is tipped to completely transform the lives of those with diabetes by completely removing needles from the process of monitoring blood sugar levels.

The sensor sits on the inside of your wrist and uses Bluetooth technology to send real-time information to a companion app which will display your blood glucose trends and alert you to high or low glucose levels as well as personal health trends.

Sabih noted: “At Afon Technology, we are passionate about the life-changing potential of continuous glucose monitoring.

“Our goal is to revolutionise diabetes care and bring an end to the era of needles in blood sugar monitoring.”

He concluded: “By quickly and accurately detecting low blood sugar, we aim to combat hypoglycaemia and create a future where people managing diabetes can live needle-free.”

Non-invasive blood glucose monitoring is the ‘holy grail’ in the world of diabetes and so far, no one has been able to crack it.

Currently, there are 537 million adults globally living with diabetes. Evidence has shown that the NHS spends £10 billion per year on diabetes, with NHS Wales spending £500 million each year on the condition.

Unlike the current continuous glucose monitoring devices, Afon Technology’s sensor will measure blood glucose levels in real-time without the need to penetrate the skin at all, making it easier to manage the condition, reducing the risk of diabetes-related complications such as heart attack, stroke, blindness, kidney failure and limb amputations.

Companies such as Apple, Samsung and Google are rumoured to have been trying to develop non-invasive blood glucose monitoring, but so far none have been successful. Afon Technology hopes to win the race to this important milestone.

Preliminary clinical research gives people with diabetes hope that such a device could become a reality in the near future.

World Diabetes Day is the primary global awareness campaign focusing on diabetes mellitus and is held on November 14 each year.

To take part in the survey, click here.