The Supporting Emerging Adults With Diabetes (SEAD) Program: An Adult-Based Real-World Clinical Model That Improves Hospitalizations, Diabetes Technology Uptake, and Glycemic Outcomes in Underserved Young Adults With Type 1 Diabetes

Abstract

OBJECTIVE Underserved young adults (YA) with type 1 diabetes (T1D) experience the worst outcomes across the life span. We developed and integrated the Supporting Emerging Adults with Diabetes (SEAD) program into routine endocrinology care to address unmet social and medical challenges. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS This study was designed as a longitudinal cohort study, with prospective data collection over 4 years on YA in SEAD compared with usual endocrine care. We used propensity-weighted analysis to account for differences in baseline characteristics, and multivariate regression and Cox proportional hazard models to evaluate change in outcomes over time. Primary outcomes included incidence of hospitalizations, diabetes technology uptake, and annual change in HbA1c levels. RESULTS We included 497 YA with T1D in SEAD (n = 332) and usual endocrine care (n = 165); mean age 25 years, 27% non-Hispanic Black, 46% Hispanic, 49% public insurance, mean HbA1c 9.2%. Comparing YA in SEAD versus usual care, 1) incidence of hospitalizations was reduced by 64% for baseline HbA1c >9% (HR 0.36 [0.13, 0.98]) and 74% for publicly insured (HR 0.26 [0.07, 0.90]); 2) automated insulin delivery uptake was 1.5-times higher (HR 1.51 [0.83, 2.77]); and 3) HbA1c improvement was greater (SEAD, −0.37% per year [−0.59, −0.15]; usual care, −0.26% per year [−0.58, 0.05]). CONCLUSIONS SEAD meaningfully improves clinical outcomes in underserved YA with T1D, especially for publicly insured and high baseline HbA1c levels. Early intervention for at-risk YA with T1D as they enter adult care could reduce inequity in short and long-term outcomes.