Latest research and updates from ADA Standards of Care in Diabetes
Each year, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) reviews the latest research and updates its Standards of Care in Diabetes — a trusted guide that helps healthcare professionals provide the best possible treatment for people living with diabetes. The 2025 Standards of Care include several exciting updates that reflect new technology, more personalized care, and a growing focus on overall well-being rather than just blood sugar numbers [1].
Early Screening and Emotional Health Take Center Stage One of the biggest shifts this year is a stronger emphasis on screening — both for diabetes itself and for emotional health. The ADA now encourages earlier testing for people with a family history of type 1 diabetes, using antibody based tests that can detect signs of the disease before symptoms appear [2]. Early detection can help individuals take steps that may delay or lessen the onset of diabetes.
Equally important, the new guidelines highlight the mental and emotional side of living with diabetes. People are encouraged to talk openly with their healthcare providers about anxiety, depression, or “diabetes distress” — the frustration or burnout that can come from managing a chronic condition. Recognizing and addressing emotional health is now considered a key part of diabetes care [1].
Technology Continues to Transform Diabetes Management If you’ve seen continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) — those small sensors that track blood sugar throughout the day — expect to see even more of them in 2025. The ADA now recommends that CGM technology be considered for more people, even for some adults with type 2 diabetes who are not using insulin [3].
These devices give real-time information, making it easier to see how food, exercise, and stress affect blood sugar levels. They can also alert users to dangerous highs or lows, offering peace of mind and helping people make better daily decisions. In short, CGMs are moving from being a specialty tool to becoming a standard part of good diabetes management.
Another exciting area is automated insulin delivery systems (AID) — smart pumps that combine continuous monitoring with insulin dosing algorithms. These systems can automatically adjust insulin delivery, helping people spend more time “in range” with fewer finger sticks and less guesswork [4].
New Medications Offer More Than Blood Sugar Control
The 2025 guidelines place growing emphasis on medications that do more than just control glucose levels. Drugs known as GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonists — and newer versions that also act on the GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide, sometimes called gastric inhibitory polypeptide) receptor — have
shown benefits that extend far beyond blood sugar. They can help with weight loss, heart health, and even kidney protection, making them one of the most talked-about options in modern diabetes care [5].
The ADA also stresses the importance of continuing weight-management medications once goals are reached, rather than stopping them right away. Research shows that keeping up with these treatments can help maintain healthy weight and prevent blood sugar from climbing [1].
Consumers should also be cautious about compounded versions of these medications. The ADA warns that non-FDA-approved or “copycat” versions sold by some pharmacies or online sources may not be safe or effective [6]. Always verify medications through a licensed provider and trusted pharmacy.
A Broader View of Health: Nutrition and Liver Care
Beyond medications and monitoring, the ADA continues to highlight the importance of nutrition and overall lifestyle. The new guidelines support flexible, evidence-based eating patterns — such as including more plant proteins, fiber, and whole grains — while cutting back on sugary drinks and ultra-processed foods [7].
Another addition this year is new guidance for fatty liver disease, now called metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). This condition is common among people with type 2 diabetes, and the ADA now recognizes certain diabetes medications, like GLP-1s, as possible options to help manage it [2].
Why These Changes Matter
The 2025 ADA updates reflect a simple but powerful shift: diabetes care is becoming more personalized, holistic, and proactive. There’s growing recognition that managing diabetes isn’t just about hitting a target blood sugar number — it’s about improving quality of life, protecting the heart and kidneys, supporting mental health, and preventing complications before they start.
To explore the full Standards of Care in Diabetes—2025 or access free resources, visit the American Diabetes Association website.
©2025ProgressiveHealth
References
1. American Diabetes Association. Standards of Care in Diabetes—2025. ADA Press Release, 2025.
https://diabetes.org/newsroom/press-releases/american-diabetes-association-releases-standards-care-diabetes-2025
2. Wisconsin Academy of Family Physicians. 2025 ADA Updates Summary. https://www.wafp.org/assets/files/2025_ADA_Updates_All_Sections_95.pdf
3. diaTribe Foundation. Your Guide to the 2025 ADA Standards of Care.
https://diatribe.org/diabetes-management/your-guide-2025-ada-standards-care
4. Omnipod. 2025 ADA Standards of Care: Key Technology Updates.
https://www.omnipod.com/hcp/blog/tips-guidelines/2025-ada-standards-of-care
5. Exploration Endocrinology & Metabolism. Updates from the 2025 ADA Guidelines on Standards of Care. https://www.explorationpub.com/uploads/Article/A101428/101428.pdf
6. American Diabetes Association. ADA Statement on Compounded Incretin Products.
https://diabetes.org/newsroom/press-releases/american-diabetes-association-announces-statement-compounded-incretin
7. Diabetes Care Journal. Nutrition Therapy and Lifestyle Management, ADA Standards 2025. https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article/48/Supplement_1/S146/157557