Makassar, Indonesia July 08 2026/PMN-RG/ – Imagine living with a serious disease and not knowing it. For millions of people around the world, this is the reality of type 2 diabetes. According to global estimates, nearly half of people living with diabetes remain undiagnosed. Many only discover their condition after complications such as heart disease, kidney problems, vision loss, or nerve damage have already begun. This hidden burden is especially common among people living in underserved communities where access to healthcare services is limited.
Fortunately, a growing body of research suggests that digital technology may offer a powerful solution.
A recent scoping review published in Nursing Practice Today explored how digital health technologies are helping identify people with undiagnosed type 2 diabetes. The review analyzed 19 studies conducted across different countries and found that digital tools can significantly expand screening efforts and reach populations that traditional healthcare systems often miss.
These technologies include mobile health applications, electronic health records, telehealth services, wearable devices, and even simple text-message reminders. Rather than waiting for people to visit healthcare facilities, digital systems can proactively identify individuals at risk and encourage them to undergo further testing. This approach is particularly valuable in rural areas, low-income communities, and other settings where healthcare access is challenging.
One of the most important findings from the review is that simple technologies often work best. Mobile phone applications and SMS-based programs showed high levels of acceptance and engagement among users. In contrast, more advanced technologies such as continuous glucose monitoring devices sometimes faced barriers related to cost, internet access, and digital literacy.
The research also highlights that technology alone is not enough. Successful programs integrate digital tools with healthcare providers, community health workers, and referral systems. When combined with human support, digital screening becomes more effective in connecting people with timely diagnosis and treatment.
This issue directly relates to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: Good Health and Well-Being, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. Early detection of diabetes is essential for preventing complications, reducing healthcare costs, and improving quality of life. By making screening more accessible and equitable, digital health technologies can help countries move closer to achieving SDG 3.
As smartphone ownership continues to grow worldwide, digital health solutions may become one of the most important tools in the fight against chronic diseases. The future of diabetes detection may not begin in a hospital or clinic—it may start with a simple notification on a mobile phone.
In a world where millions of diabetes cases remain hidden, technology offers something invaluable: the opportunity to find people before the disease finds them.
Reference:
DOI. https://doi.org/10.18502/npt.v13i2.21464
Contact:
Dr. Yuliana Syam, S.Kp., Ns, M.Si.
+6281342012733
yulianasyam@unhas.ac.id
