The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has officially recognized virtual diabetes prevention program (DPP) developed by Noom. First introduced in 2013, the program was submitted for recognition when the CDC began accepting mobile and online DPP applications in 2015.

Noom's DPP combines technology with condition-specific programs and face-to-face coaching to develop programs for diabetes and hypertension. CMS announced it would make the DPP a reimbursable benefit in January 2018.

“While significant strides have been made in the prevention of type 2 diabetes, they continue to fall short of the demand,” said David Marrero, MA, PhD, chief scientific advisor with Noom. “The traditional in-person DPP requires participants to attend weekly face-to-face meetings. This model faces challenges of flexibility and accessibility, making it difficult to address the millions with prediabetes. Virtual providers of the DPP, like Noom, offer a solution that will increase access to this much needed program.”

In a recent issue of the British Medical Journal Open Diabetes Research & Care, researchers found the program helped 64 percent of participants lose 5 percent of their body weight and had an engagement rate of 84 percent.

“Noom is committed to leveraging our mobile behavior change programs to help millions of people around the world suffering from pre-chronic and chronic conditions. Our platform is capable of changing behaviors and delivering meaningful, sustainable health outcomes at a large scale,” said Saeju Jeong, Noom’s CEO and co-founder. “As the first virtual provider to receive full recognition from the CDC, we look forward to playing an important role in tackling prediabetes as the program becomes a reimbursable Medicare benefit in 2018.”