Designing a telehealth platform to prevent type-2 diabetes
Scope
Marketing Website
Web App
iOS / Android App
Role
Lead Designer
Researcher
Team
+ Myself
+ Junior Designer
+ Project Manager
+ 4 Engineers
Timeline
10 months
Challenge
Diabetes remains a leading cause of death in the U.S.
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) in 2019, there are more than 34.2 Americans (~1 in 10 people) have diabetes, with 90–95% of them having type-2 diabetes.
Solution
Telehealth platform designed to reduce the risk of type-2 diabetes
HIPAA-compliant solution that delivers a 12-month long Diabetes Prevention Program led by board-certified dietitians, integrating behavior change, tracking, and rewards.
Attend one-on-one or group classes via video chat
The program offers 26 weeks of classes on nutrition, exercise, and healthy lifestyle habits
Track physical activity progress
Fitbit scale and smartwatch sync seamlessly with the mobile app to monitor weight and physical activity
Log meals to track nutrition
Dietitians monitor meals logged in the app to offer personalized nutrition support and guidance
Earn rewards for health habits
Redeem points for real rewards like Fitbits, fitness gear, and gift cards—turning progress into prizes
Impact
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+38% increase in enrollment
The redesigned marketing website and simplified signup flow led to an increase in enrollments within 3 months of launch.
user
>60% completed the program
Many participants who completed the year-long DPP lost weight, became more active, and lowered their risk of type-2 diabetes.
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Accessible healthcare option
Many businesses have adopted the program as part of their employee benefit program.
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Design system
Developed a reusable design system with components, tokens, and patterns for use across marketing and product surfaces.
Discovery
How did we do it?
We began with an open brief and collaborated closely with stakeholders to define the product vision, business goals, scope, timeline, and success metrics.
Our research focused on understanding the lifestyle challenges of individuals at risk for type-2 diabetes, the barriers to sustaining long-term health programs, and the limitations of existing telehealth solutions. These insights revealed clear opportunities to design a more engaging and effective prevention platform.
User Survey
We conducted a screener-based survey targeting adults over 45 with a BMI greater than 25 and a family history of diabetes. The goal was to gather insights about motivation, awareness, and barriers to engagement.
Key Findings (n=85, ages 45+, BMI >25)
71%
unaware of structured diabetes prevention programs
64%
struggle to maintain healthy routines for more than 2 weeks
82%
feel more accountable if a dietitian tracked their progress
Competitive Analysis
As part of the discovery phase, we conducted a competitive analysis of leading CDC-recognized digital diabetes prevention programs (DPPs). Our goal was to identify gaps in user experience, accessibility, and engagement that could inform more inclusive, engaging, and scalable product decisions.
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Limited personalization at scale
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Messaging tone felt clinical and rigid
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Clear onboarding flow
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Long-term tracking and data visualization
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Human coach interaction built into the experience
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Coaches often not medically certified
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Limited biometric tracking (no devices included)
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High engagement through mobile UX
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Affordable compared to traditional DPPs
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Less app polish and brand recognition
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Brand lacked consumer trust
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Simple, focused curriculum
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Remote coaching with a human feel
Key Opportunities
Simplify onboarding and reduce user drop-off
Add milestone-based rewards to increase engagement
Integrate Fitbit devices for accountability
Final Designs
The final designs focus on delivering a seamless experience for both participant and dietitian.
Marketing Website
Identified pain points like slow load times and unclear CTAs. Redesign improved speed, accessibility, and enrollment clarity.
Eligibility Quiz
Built a fast, one-minute screener based on DPP criteria (age, BMI, family history, activity level).
Onboarding Experience
Created a warm, humanized signup experience using conversational UI and progressive disclosure.
Admin Dashboard
Enabled dietitians to track user progress, view milestones, analyze participation, and monitor engagement in real time.
Final Thoughts
Lessons Learned
In hindsight, more iterative validation would’ve made early decisions stronger. Given more time, I would’ve conducted additional usability testing, particularly around rewards mechanics and dashboard usability. Despite the constraints, the project sharpened my leadership, improved our process maturity, and shipped a valuable tool for health transformation.