Australians living with or at risk of developing type 2 diabetes will, for the first time, have free access to a powerful new AI-driven prevention tool, as Diabetes Australia launches a digital health pilot in partnership with UK-based DDM Health.

The platform, known locally as GroAus, harnesses artificial intelligence and behavioural science to deliver personalised health coaching. For people living with type 2 diabetes this support can help prevent serious complications, and for people at high risk of type 2 diabetes it can help prevent the condition from developing.

The six-month pilot is one of Diabetes Australia’s flagship initiatives for National Diabetes Week (13 – 19 July 2025) and signals a bold shift toward scalable, digital-first prevention strategies.

Diabetes Australia Group CEO Justine Cain said this is a game-changing partnership for Australia.

“We are facing a type 2 diabetes epidemic and GroAus is a tool we can use to help stop it in its tracks.

“By putting proven, personalised tools directly into people’s hands, we can support people living with type 2 diabetes to reduce their risk of developing complications,” Ms Cain said.

Every eight minutes, an Australian is diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Unless urgent action is taken, an estimated 3.2 million Australians could be living with type 2 diabetes by 2050.

“GroAus gives people the support they need to make meaningful changes, whether they’re at risk of type 2 diabetes or looking for support to manage their condition,” Ms Cain said.

GroAus is based on the award-winning Gro Health platform, which is NICE-recommended, QISMET-accredited, and already integrated into the UK’s National Health Service.

Backed by over a dozen peer-reviewed studies, Gro Health has demonstrated clinically meaningful improvements in weight loss, HbA1c and mental wellbeing, along with high user satisfaction. The platform is built on extensive patient involvement and co-design and GroAus has been localised for the Australian population in alignment with national dietary guidelines and cultural needs.

DDM COO Charlotte Summers said, “We’re incredibly excited to be working with Diabetes Australia on this partnership. GroAus is about putting evidence-based, practical tools into people’s hands in a way that’s inclusive, empowering and truly personal. This pilot is a powerful opportunity to learn, listen and shape the future of diabetes support together.”

Delivered via app and website, GroAus offers:

• Personalised, AI-driven coaching on nutrition, physical activity, sleep and mental wellbeing
• Self-management tools to track diet, movement, and mood
• Interactive education and expert advice from clinicians and nutritionists
• Behavioural change support to help users stay on track

Among participants who complete the program, international studies show:

• 1 in 4 achieve type 2 diabetes remission
• 54% reduce or eliminate medication
• 6.5% average sustained weight loss at one year
• 31% reduce stress symptoms
• 8% report improved quality of life

All GroAus users involved in the pilot will also be invited to receive automatic membership to Diabetes YOUnited, Diabetes Australia’s free national program supporting Australians living with or at risk of diabetes.

Diabetes Australia will evaluate health outcomes throughout the pilot and develop recommendations for a potential Phase 2 rollout nationwide. The pilot will initially be available for a limited number of people.

About Us

Diabetes Australia is the national organisation supporting all people living with or at risk of diabetes. We put people first. We work in collaboration with member organisations, consumers, health professionals, state-based diabetes organisations, researchers and the community.

DDM Health is a data-driven digital health and virtual care company that is on a mission to empower people to live healthier, happier lives – and we’re hoping to care for 1 million people by 2026. We are committed to using technology to make healthcare more accessible, equitable, and effective.

*NICE: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence

*QISMET: Quality Institute of Self-Management, Education and Training