After two years of successful implementation of a preventive care intervention in Region Stockholm, recently published follow-up shows that over 50% of the participants in the health program have left the risk zone for developing type 2 diabetes. This exceeds the targets set for the prevention effort in the region.

Research indicates that over one million people in Sweden are at risk of type 2 diabetes, based on the fact that an average of 10% of the population is considered to be prediabetic. Diabetes is a disease that has a significant impact on the quality of life and can lead to considerable suffering, limitations in daily life and an increased risk of secondary diseases, resulting in high healthcare costs for regional budgets.

“As a supplier in the long-term initiative in Region Stockholm, where the preventive efforts are financed with a world-unique health bond, we are now offering similar action programs to all regions in Sweden. With the positive 24-month report behind us, we will therefore contact Sweden’s leading politicians. This initiative can both save lives and significantly reduce healthcare costs.” says Fredrik Söder, founder of Health Integrator.

“We at Curus are impressed by the good results of the study that validate that Health Integrator’s business concept works. We see great potential and value in what Health Integrator offers and this is proof of how it is possible to conduct cost-effective preventive care that is a prerequisite for healthcare in the future.” says Erik Olsson Nyrén, Investment Manager at Curus.

The prevention program in Region Stockholm, consists of a multi-year health program that through preventive measures helps people in the age group 50-60 years to avoid developing type 2 diabetes. At the start of the program, all 925 participants were prediabetic. After two years and 360 participants’ blood tests, more than half (54%) are no longer at risk of type 2 diabetes. In the same measurement, only 7.5% of participants had a long-term blood sugar that showed signs of developing type 2 diabetes, which meant a 67% risk reduction compared to control groups in similar studies.

Participants in the program receive support from personal health coaches and are followed up continuously for five years, with the most intensive interventions in the first two years. Through a digital platform, they can access various health services from different providers, such as physical activity, diet and sleep advice, and stress management. Health coaches linked to the program guide participants through their health journey and suggest interventions to create healthy and sustainable lifestyles.

According to research, up to 80% of chronic diseases can be prevented through health promotion. However, only around 3% of total health budgets in Sweden have so far focused on prevention. The health bond financial model developed in the Stockholm Region is the first of its kind, also internationally. The repayment and interest rate of the health bond are linked to the success of the prevention measures. The benefit for the region is that the cost of care is significantly reduced; the total cost of care for a person with type 2 diabetes is almost 4.5 times higher compared to a healthy person. Following the positive evaluation in the recently published 24-month report, more regions are expected to consider similar solutions to identify and help residents at risk before the onset of the disease with validated screening.

The project has been made possible through a collaboration between Region Stockholm, Skandia as financier and SEB who developed the financial model. Health Integrator is the provider of the digital platform and the overall preventive health program.

For more information
Johan Bloom, CEO, Curus
[email protected], 073-364 84 90

Erik Olsson Nyrén, Investment Manager, Curus
[email protected], 070-837 73 54

About Curus
Curus is an investment company investing in the Nordic region with a particular focus on digital health and healthcare. Curus has the opportunity to make both minority and majority investments and can contribute both capital, industry experience and networks as well as marketing to our portfolio companies. Curus has investments in 4 majority-owned companies and a minority stake in 22 growth companies. For more information, see www.curus.se.