Swiss Precision Digital Therapeutics for the Prevention of Type-2 Diabetes
By developing, testing, and implementing innovations in precision digital therapeutics, this Innosuisse Flagship Project aims to enable systemic change in type-2 diabetes prevention to improve health and reduce health costs.
Factsheet
- Schools involved School of Health Professions
- Institute(s) Nutrition and Dietetics
- Funding organisation Innosuisse
- Duration (planned) 01.10.2025 - 31.12.2030
- Head of project Prof. Dr. Tamara Bucher
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Project staff
Prof. Dr. David Fäh
Franziska Scheidegger-Balmer -
Partner
EMPA
Inselspital, Universitätsspital Bern
RE-NUT AG
Situation
With a prevalence of around 7%, type-2 diabetes (T2D) is one of the most prominent non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Switzerland. It is characterized by a multifactorial etiology with factors such as overweight, physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, and being age 45 or older converging to promote pathogenesis. T2D is linked to serious health issues, e.g., cardiovascular diseases, kidney failure, neuropathy, retinopathy, and other metabolic complications. T2D not only causes immense suffering but also results in substantial healthcare costs - an estimated CHF 1.7 billion annually. However, T2D can be prevented if detected in individuals at risk and even be reversed in the early stages of the disease. Therefore, prevention plays a crucial role in addressing these societal challenges. This Innosuisse project aims to empower individuals at risk of T2D to make healthier lifestyle choices and addresses the role of health insurers in supporting these choices. Based on 5 subprojects (SP), it will develop, test, and implement innovations in precision digital therapeutics to reduce the incidence of T2D in Switzerland.
Course of action
SP 1 and 2 aim to detect and predict T2D risk in individuals based on existing consumer wearables and smart textiles. SP 3 and 4 aim to support individuals’ health, lifestyle, food choice, and meal planning behavior. SP 5 aims to develop a sustainable business model for T2D prevention in Switzerland, involving Switzerland's four biggest health insurers. The BFH Nutrition and Dietetics research group is part of SP 3 "Data-driven personalized nutritional advice and dietary interventions related to food choice and meal planning” and thus focuses on nutritional aspects in T2D prevention. It will contribute to SP 3 by co-designing a virtual coach providing AI-supported nutritional information to support healthy food choice, meal planning, and cooking.
