Diabetes is a chronic non-communicable disease that develops over a long period of time. It is nearly impossible to identify the point of onset because of the long latent period during which symptoms are not easily identified. Unfortunately, healthcare providers typically consider success with an early diagnosis. This is not an effective way of achieving a positive health outcome. Instead, we must adopt a preemptive approach that seeks to assess diabetes risk in order to perform early intervention and interrupt the development of diabetes and its complications. A preemptive approach aims to personalize care for the patient, taking into consideration their genomic, cultural, and environmental profiles.

Finally, a preemptive approach values prevention of diabetes and its complications as the optimal health outcome, and seeks to avoid the costly, invasive procedures that result from poor health management. No patient at risk for diabetes should be left without the care they need. Healthcare services in the past were heavily fragmented and counter-productive for a complex disease like diabetes that exhibits numerous functional symptoms. As a result, many patients with diabetes were left undiagnosed and victims of the complications caused by uncontrolled diabetes.

With the power of patient data, healthcare providers can determine clear thresholds or trends for diabetes, and preemptively intervene before the development of debilitating complications. Immediate medical intervention becomes less vital, as education, prevention, and health assessments can reach a patient and their providers in a timelier and actionable fashion.