Partnership creates promise for improving the health of those living
with this debilitating and costly disease
SAN FRANCISCO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Virta
Health, the first company to safely and sustainably reverse type 2
diabetes without medications or surgery, today announced an innovative
partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide new
hope for Veterans living with type 2 diabetes. This pilot program offers
400 Veterans access to the Virta Treatment, with the goal of helping
Veterans improve metabolic health while simultaneously reducing
dependency on diabetes medications.
“Partnering with community providers facilitates a more comprehensive
approach to care,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “Many Veterans have
type 2 diabetes and it is strongly linked to obesity, so we are excited
to explore Virta Health’s approach to tackling this debilitating and
costly condition.”
Veterans are particularly affected by type 2 diabetes. An estimated 25%
of Veterans have the disease, a rate more than double the national
average. Comorbidities such as obesity, depression, and heart disease
are also common. More than one million Veterans are living with the
condition.
Virta’s approach shows significant promise in reducing use of diabetes
medications, which can relieve the economic burden of the disease. In
peer-reviewed clinical trial results, 94% of patients who completed one
year of the Virta Treatment eliminated or reduced insulin use.
Additionally, 60% of patients reversed type 2 diabetes. The Virta
Treatment improved markers of cardiovascular disease risk, too,
including blood pressure, obesity, and inflammation.
“This partnership underscores VA’s commitment to pursuing creative
approaches that can make transformational improvements in Veterans’
health,” said Sami Inkinen, Virta Health co-founder and CEO. “Our
treatment outcomes and virtual care delivery model accessible to
Veterans in all 50 U.S. states complement existing VA services, creating
the exciting possibility to bring renewed health to the millions of
Veterans living with type 2 diabetes.”
Virta’s approach—delivering an individualized nutrition therapy via
continuous remote care—is well-suited for the geographically-distributed
veteran population. Via mobile devices, Virta provides near real-time
access to board-certified physicians and health coaches, who oversee
delivery of personalized treatment plans.
Virta’s technology and care protocols enable rapid lowering of blood
sugar and restoration of metabolic health, and subsequent deprescription
of diabetes medications by Virta medical providers. Virta can provide
24/7 remote care wherever a patient resides in the United States.
“Before Virta I was taking multiple medications, was 100 pounds
overweight, and had chronic, constant pain in my joints and feet. I was
lucky that VA covered most of my many expenditures,” said Virta
patient Tim, a Navy Veteran. “Three years after joining Virta, I’m
off my meds, my blood sugar is controlled, my high cholesterol and fatty
liver issues are fixed, and I have even lost 100 pounds and kept it off.
This has been life-changing for me.”
For details on the health and economic benefits of the Virta Treatment,
visit www.virtahealth.com.
For more information on the Veterans Health Administration, visit www.va.gov/health.
Veterans interested partnership background and eligibility criteria can
go to www.virtahealth.com/veterans.
Organizations interested in non-monetary partnering with VHA can go to https://www.va.gov/healthpartnerships/.
About Virta Health
Virta Health provides the first treatment to safely and sustainably
reverse type 2 diabetes without medications or surgery. Among enrolled
patients in our clinical trial at one year, 60% achieved diabetes
reversal and 94% of insulin users reduced or eliminated usage
altogether. Results extend beyond diabetes reversal to other areas of
metabolic and cardiovascular health, with sustained improvements in
blood pressure, inflammation, liver function, and BMI. For enterprises,
Virta puts 100% of its fees at risk and can reduce medical prescription
costs by more than 70% in year 1 alone. Delivered through Virta’s novel
continuous remote care platform, the Virta Treatment provides
unparalleled medical and behavioral support and is transforming the
lives of people living with type 2 diabetes. To learn more, visit www.virtahealth.com
or follow us on Twitter @virtahealth.
Contacts
Paul Sytsma
Virta Health
Email: press@virtahealth.com