Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Eli Lilly and Company have introduced a new online “My Well Planner” programme offering customized educational content to help adults with type 2 diabetes make simple lifestyle changes to improve their health. My Well Planner is designed to address the emotional barriers people with type 2 diabetes face every day, going beyond education to help them, working with their healthcare providers, set achievable goals based on their personal needs.

My Well Planner is a free, comprehensive resource open to adults with type 2 diabetes. Modeled on a behavioural change approach, it offers personalized content that adjusts as patients use the tool over time. The programme helps adults with type 2 diabetes and their healthcare providers work together to set small lifestyle goals at their own pace, building toward bigger goals in the future. Sample topics include: general information about type 2 diabetes, better eating habits, building physical activity into daily life, taking medication and communication strategies.

"Managing type 2 diabetes is complex. While medication is important, maintaining healthy diet and exercise habits are critical as well in order to successfully control blood glucose levels," said Francine Cabrera, RN, CDE, WOCN, Philadelphia, Penn. "It is not easy to break old habits and create healthier ones. What sets My Well Planner apart is its personalized content based on a graduated approach to help patients build goals and confidence to make healthy life changes."

Type 2 diabetes is the most common type, accounting for an estimated 90 to 95 per cent of all diabetes cases. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) projects as many as one in three US adults could have diabetes by 2050 if current trends continue. However, research has shown for patients with diabetes, a combination of treatment and lifestyle changes in nutrition, physical exercise and stress reduction can bring about improvements in their glucose levels.

Once enrolled in the My Well Planner programme, patients are asked to take a self assessment to determine their motivation levels. Unlike other programmes, My Well Planner delivers tailored tips based on patients' evaluation results to help them take an active role in their condition and maintain healthy behaviours over time. The programme also creates progress reports, which patients can print out and take to their healthcare providers to discuss during visits.

"There is no one-size-fits-all approach to managing type 2 diabetes. The Boehringer Ingelheim and Lilly Diabetes Alliance is committed to helping the millions of Americans living with type 2 diabetes manage their health by providing resources, such as My Well Planner, as well as treatments, such as the tradjenta and Jentadueto family of products," said David Pass, Pharm D, vice president, metabolism marketing, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

People with type 2 diabetes can register and create their own My Well Planner account at www.mywellplannerinfo.com.

Tradjenta is a prescription medicine that is used along with diet and exercise to lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes. It is not for people with type 1 diabetes or for people with diabetic ketoacidosis (increased ketones in the blood or urine).

Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company announced an alliance in the field of diabetes that centres on four pipeline compounds representing several of the largest treatment classes. This alliance leverages the companies' strengths as two of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies, combining Boehringer Ingelheim's solid track record of research-driven innovation and Lilly's innovative research, experience, and pioneering history in diabetes. By joining forces, the companies demonstrate commitment in the care of patients with diabetes and stand together to focus on patient needs.