Chronic condition management platform Omada Health announced Wednesday it would include behavioral health support in its existing programs for diabetes prevention and management, hypertension, and musculoskeletal care.

The new behavioral health integration includes anxiety and depression assessment, resources to manage social determinants of health, like access to food, stress management and sleep tools, care teams supplemented mental health specialists and training, and triage and guidance in serious mental health crises. 

WHY IT MATTERS

Mental health concerns are common, and the COVID-19 pandemic spurred an increase in adults reporting symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Meanwhile, physical health and mental health are intertwined; according to the CDC, chronic conditions can increase the risk for mental illness. Omada said 47% of its members display increased symptoms of depression and anxiety. 

"Omada Health has always viewed support for mental health as a key component to overall well-being. Our latest investment in integrating support across our programs further solidifies that commitment," said Jennifer La Guardia, senior director of clinical and behavior science at Omada Health, in a statement.

"With nearly half of our members identifying behavioral health symptoms, we’re now offering them even more personalized care to help them understand and overcome these challenges."

THE LARGER TREND

Last month, Omada announced it had raised a hefty $192 million in Series E funding, with plans to use the investment toward new hires, its tech road map for care personalization and its Omada Insights Lab.

The company started off focused on prediabetes, but has since expanded into other clinical areas. In 2020, it purchased digital physical therapy company Physera to add musculoskeletal care to its offerings. 

Mental and behavioral healthcare is a booming field within digital health. According to a CBInsights report, mental health tech startups raised $5.5 billion globally last year, a 139% increase from 2020. 

Other chronic condition management companies that feature behavioral health tools include DarioHealth, Welldoc, Lyn Health and Lark Health.