One Drop knocks down barriers to diabetes management

NEW YORK - One Drop's primary goal has always been to give people with diabetes a place to collect all of the data that matters to them, says Rachel Sanchez, marketing associate.

Originally launched in 2015 as a mobile app, One Drop has since added its own blood glucose monitoring system and coaching with a certified diabetes educator.

“All the information you need is in the app and being able to carry it with you changes the game,” said Sanchez.

Sense of community

The One Drop mobile app features a community stream that allows users to see other people with diabetes and what they are doing or eating, and react, much like with Facebook, says Sanchez.

“So often, doctors will say thing like you are noncompliant and that's very negative,” she said. “No one's really giving you a pat on the back for managing diabetes. The community is a way of helping people see there's a community around them and other people are having the same struggle.”

Story time

Tracking food, glucose and activity and medication data tells a story of sorts that allows users to gain insights into their diabetes management, says Sanchez.

“As long as you are logging, you can see what your story is,' she said. “Here is a meal, here is what happens between that meal and the next time you check your blood glucose. You can see that pattern and from there make adjustments and make improvements.”

Cool factor

One Drop wants to design tools that people actually want to use. The app is modern, clean and inviting, and the glucose meter was designed the same way.

“Diabetes devices have not been designed with appearance in mind,” said Sanchez. “With this, you can be out to dinner, on a date or at the prom—you can just put it out on your desk and it's not immediately clear it's a medical device. It's totally different attitude from, 'oh, I'll run in the bathroom to hide while I use it, which I think is a really big barrier to people checking more often.”

Cost cutting

One Drop would eventually like to expand into all aspects of diabetes management, says Sanchez, with an eye toward convenience and reducing costs—a huge barrier to diabetes management.

“Consumer convenience should be brought to health care in the same way I can order stuff off Amazon,” she said. “We want to be this this one-stop shop that is super convenient at the right price point. We want people to feel good when they are managing their diabetes.”