Telemedicine Monitoring of Chronic Diseases: Improving Diabetes Management in Urban Slums

Abstract

The burden of diabetes mellitus in urban slum populations represents a significant public health challenge, characterized by limited healthcare access, socioeconomic constraints, and inadequate chronic disease management infrastructure. This study examines the potential of telemedicine monitoring systems to improve diabetes management outcomes in urban slum environments. Through comprehensive analysis of existing literature and program evaluations, this research explores how technology-enabled healthcare delivery can overcome traditional barriers to chronic disease care in resource-constrained settings. The findings demonstrate that telemedicine monitoring systems, when appropriately designed and implemented, can significantly improve glycemic control, medication adherence, and patient self-management behaviors among diabetes patients in urban slums. These systems prove particularly effective when integrated with community health worker programs and supported by mobile health technologies that accommodate the unique technological and socioeconomic characteristics of slum populations. The research highlights the importance of culturally appropriate technology design, affordable connectivity solutions, and sustainable financing mechanisms for successful telemedicine implementation in urban slum contexts.