The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Apps and Digital Programs That Use CGM Data

Sarah Hormachea, MS, RD, CDCES, BC-ADM

Owner, Contract & Consulting,

Sarah Hormachea: Diabetes Care & Education, LLC

What is your presentation about?
My session explores the expanding landscape of apps and digital programs that use continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) data to support behavior change. While many offer real-time insights, personalized feedback, and increased engagement, the quality and level of clinical oversight can vary widely. Together, we’ll examine the benefits of data integration and user empowerment, while also cautioning against exaggerated claims, limited regulation, and the potential adoption of riskier behaviors.

How do you hope your presentation will impact diabetes research or care?
My goal is to encourage clinicians to critically evaluate these tools, support patients in navigating them safely, and advocate for the use of CGM as a personalized strategy—not a one-size-fits-all solution. I also hope to spark greater interdisciplinary collaboration among prescribers, clinical staff, and patients, ensuring that CGM data is used to drive meaningful behavior change while minimizing potential harm.

How did you become involved with this area of diabetes research or care?
I’ve seen a significant increase in patients wearing CGMs, both in my private practice and while supporting care in endocrinology. I believe everyone deserves access to the latest diabetes tools and technologies, along with the knowledge and support needed to make informed decisions about how these tools fit into their personal health and wellness journey.

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Fueling Right, Tracking Tight—CGM-Guided Nutrition for Gestational Diabetes

Rachel Stahl Salzman, MS, RD, CDN, CDCES

Lecturer in Medicine,

Weill Cornell Medicine

What is your presentation about?
Achieving and maintaining optimal glycemic management with gestational diabetes (GDM) is challenging. This presentation will highlight Weill Cornell Medicine’s Virtual GDM Program, which incorporates continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). The session will highlight how the use of CGM empowers individuals with real-time insights enabling personalized nutrition and lifestyle modifications to help improve glucose management. Practical strategies for integrating CGM to enhance GDM care will be discussed.

How do you hope your presentation will impact diabetes research or care?
CGM is becoming the standard of care for more and more individuals with diabetes. Studies like ours improve our understanding of using CGM in GDM and highlight the collaboration between the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology to enhance knowledge and comfort with CGM. Ultimately, our goal is to further evaluate whether use of CGM reduces or delays the need for insulin therapy in this population.

How did you become involved with this area of diabetes research or care?
GDM is on the rise worldwide and in my clinical practice I see first-hand the significant challenges many individuals face in managing their glucose in pregnancy. With the approval of CGM for use in pregnancy, we now had an opportunity to develop a dedicated program to integrate CGM into GDM care. Supported by the Weill Cornell Medicine Quality Improvement Academy, our study focused on establishing best practices to optimize CGM utilization, aiming to improve health outcomes and enhance satisfaction with glucose monitoring.