Researchers led by Diana Sarfati from the University of Otago, Wellington (UOW) have won a $1.6 million grant from the Health Research Council of New Zealand to conduct a three-year study into a digital platform for the prevention and self-management of pre-diabetes and diabetes.

Designed by Wellington-headquartered Melon Health, the program achieved excellent results in the BetaMe trial piloted by the Pinnacle Midlands Health Network, with 70 per cent of pre-diabetics recording normal blood glucose levels after four months of being on the program.