The proposed study will compare individualized self-administered versions of GEM to individualized MM among patients recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. We hypothesize that, compared to MM, GEM will be at least as effective at improving blood glucose control (A1c), and GEM will do so with less reliance on diabetes medication and with greater secondary benefits such as lower risk of cardiovascular disease, more good cholesterol (HDL), greater weight loss, a greater sense of empowerment, and fewer diabetes-related expenses. It is further hypothesized that these benefits will be sustained over 13.5-months of follow-up with no structured maintenance program.
A Randomized Consent Design (RCD) trial of our hypothesis that self-administered, individualized Glycemic Excursion Minimization (GEM) treatment for adults newly diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes (T2D), compared to individualized medication management (MM), will: 1) reduce hemoglobin A1c as much or more, 2) require less diabetes medication, 3) cost less, and 4) have more secondary benefits, (e.g. greater reduction in cardiovascular risk, weight, diabetes distress, depression symptoms).