Acupressure points are those pulses in the body that, when pressed with fingers, stimulate the body’s self-healing abilities. To stretch the imagination a bit, I theorize that several diabetes acupressure points in the US stimulate diabetes care. They serve as hubs for learning, treatment, research, and advocacy. One of them is Boston. And so, if my theory passes muster, you could feel the excitement in the air in Boston in June when the city hosted the ADA 75th Scientific Sessions at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. The key components of the Sessions were coincidentally research, education, advocacy, and science, with a dash of diabetes and social media sprinkled in. Approximately 18,000 attendees attended the conference. Thus, the energy cluster of so many minds and bodies, each with extensive knowledge about diabetes, gathered together in one center was almost overwhelming. Rather than detailing the numerous lectures, 385 presentations, 2,500 research posters, exhibits, product theatre, audio presentations, and awards, below are a few good websites to visit for specific details on the Sessions.

www.insulinnation.com
www.healthline.com
www.diabetes.org

And what nuances did this humble writer take home from the dazzling five days spent in Boston?

It was a shocking revelation to hear that 70% of patients are not referred to CDEs to help them with instructions and education about how to live day-to-day with diabetes. A jump start of good quality diabetes how-to’s and don’t-do’s can set a patient on a positive pathway and a balanced lifestyle. It’s time to implement this important, potentially life-saving tool with better access to good diabetes education.
Social Media has rapidly developed into a key route for diabetes care for many. This is both good and bad. A watchdog system to protect patients seeking information will go a long way in filtering out unreliable sites that provide dangerous information and advice to those in desperate need of help. Many sites offer reliable and approved educational material and information to readers. So for the moment _ caveat emptor _ let the buyer beware.
It was like being on a Star Trek voyage, navigating through the mind-boggling (to this T1-52-year vet) space of technological and scientific developments and less-invasive devices that are reaching the average diabetes patient. Advances in CGMs, with their smartphone compatibility, futuristic arm coin sensors, and contact lenses with glucose monitoring capabilities, as well as closed-loop systems, are expanding the uses for GLP-1s and 2s. Additionally, there is progress in inhalable insulin that works, and, of course, the ongoing race for artificial and bionic pancreases. Wow! I think it is safe to say we have emerged from the dark Stone Age cave of diabetes care. Alleluia!
When I heard the insurance dilemma that senior-aged patients are experiencing, I was practically in tears. It seems Medicare (as well as Medicaid and the National Disability Act) DOES NOT cover CGM monitoring tools. I don’t understand why these devices are not more widely adopted, since they enable patients to be alerted to tracking and trends in glucose levels, which translates to better and more preventive diabetes care. Those of you who wear a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) know precisely what I mean. It is worth advocating for by all means. ADA (www.diabetes.org) and JDRF (www.jdrf.org) have petitions you can sign to advocate. You can also reach out to your congressional and senatorial representatives to encourage them to vote for or co-sponsor the bipartisan bills that are currently before them. The website www.myglu.org has valuable information and instructions on how to advocate for this worthwhile cause. You might have to register (it’s ok It is an interesting site to check out). For specific information on advocating for this cause: www.myglu.org/articles/getting-medicare-to-cover-cgms-what-you-can-do.
In the end, I left the conference thinking of Joe Solowiejczyk, RN, CDE, MSW’s comment at one of the significant technology symposia about advances and the future of diabetes care. To paraphrase Joe, this is all brilliant stuff, but what about the patient? Why not consider the quarterly trip to the doctor’s office a positive experience for the patient? Make it a “visit,” not a nail-biting stress. “If I had my say, I’d have clowns and games and balloons in these drab places.”

I’m with you, Joe. Let’s cheer and take full advantage of all the new science, technology, education, and advocacy in diabetes care that equips us to confront the diabetes dragon. However, let’s not forget that we are sensitive human beings who need a little light-hearted smile once in a while.