Diabetes care during COVID: what changed and why it matters

Before the pandemic hit, about four in ten people with type 2 diabetes were managing to keep their blood sugar in the safe zone. Doctors call this “good glycemic control, ” and it usually means the long-term marker HbA1c is below 7 %. Keeping that number low lowers the risk of heart attacks, eye damage, and kidney problems later on. When COVID-19 arrived, routine check-ups became harder. Some clinics closed for deep cleaning, others turned into testing centers, and many patients simply stayed home to avoid the virus. Telemedicine stepped in, but not everyone had a smartphone or knew how to use one. Older adults, who make up a big slice of the diabetes population, found the switch especially tough. At the same time, stress and disrupted routines made it harder for people to stick to healthy eating and exercise plans. Early studies show that during the first year of the pandemic, the share of people hitting their HbA1c target dropped by a few percentage points.The gap wasn’t the same everywhere. In wealthier neighborhoods, doctors had more time for video calls and patients could afford glucose monitors that sent data straight to the clinic. In poorer areas, fewer people owned such devices, and crowded housing made it risky to go out for supplies. These differences show how diabetes care isn’t just about medicine—it’s also about money, internet access, and trust in the health system.