Hype or hope for diabetes mobile health applications?

Mobile health applications (apps) created to help improve type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes care are perceived by their visionaries and programmers as game-changing tools which assist in the rigorous demands of diabetes self-management. People living with diabetes who have access to mobile technology are learning how to utilise technology for better blood glucose control and support, often in conjunction with their healthcare teams. Despite all the technological progress and success, diabetes health apps also raise concerns about important issues such as regulation and approval, privacy, accuracy and safety. In a shortened review, Joyce Lee, Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Michigan and Co-Director of the Mott Mobile Technology Program for Enhancing Child Health assesses the types of endocrinology and diabetes apps available today and examines current challenges that so often come with new technologies.