CP24 - The Influence of Meal Delivery on Engagement in a Digital Health Coaching Program

CP24 - The Influence of Meal Delivery on Engagement in a Digital Health Coaching Program

Poster Type: Research

Track/Topic: Expanding Access to Care and Other Services

Research Objectives: Digital health coaching (DHC) demonstrates positive outcomes among adults with type 2 diabetes (T2DM), yet engagement rates are often low, particularly among underserved populations with health-related barriers including food insecurity. This retrospective review explored how inclusion of meal delivery influences DHC engagement, focusing on transition from enrollment to program participation.

Research Study Design/Methods: We compared participant data from two payer-provided 12-week T2DM DHC programs. Group 1 (n=597) includes adults with T2DM, largely recruited from financially- and food-insecure communities, who were provided DHC + biweekly meal delivery; Group 2 (n=448) includes adults with T2DM who received DHC only. Both programs provide behavioral and psychosocial support delivered by phone, text and/or email. This analysis focuses on retention between enrollment and the first DHC call. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze data including participant retention, demographics and baseline patient reported outcomes (diet, mental health, overall physical health, financial toxicity).

Research Principal Findings and Quantitative/Qualitative Results: Groups 1 and 2 had similar mean age (53 vs. 58), racial/ethnic backgrounds (44% vs. 41% nonwhite) and baseline A1cs (7.23% vs. 7.64%). Diabetes distress (2.80 vs. 2.68), depression (1.43 vs. 0.97), stress (5.32 vs. 5.04), and financial toxicity (20.21 vs. 24.60) were higher in Group 1. Group 1 also reported poorer overall physical health (41.57 vs. 44.46) and consumed fewer weekly healthy meals (5.72 vs. 7.09). Retention from enrollment to the first call was significantly higher in Group 1 compared with Group 2 (93% vs. 75%; pxtagstartz.0001), representing improved engagement from DHC orientation to participation.