This JAMA Internal Medicine Patient Page reviews the use, benefits, and drawbacks of continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) for people with type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and those without diabetes — with particular attention to evidence gaps around outcomes.
No direct evidence exists that CGM prevents diabetes complications or severe hypoglycemia compared to usual care. For people without diabetes, there is no good evidence that CGM improves health or prevents diabetes. CGM is most likely to benefit people on insulin who need frequent glucose checks, use an insulin pump, or are at high risk of hypoglycemia.
This is a patient education page, not a primary research study — it does not present original data, systematic review methods, or a defined study population. Conclusions are based on expert narrative without formal evidence grading.
Reserve CGM recommendations primarily for insulin-using patients with type 2 diabetes, especially those at high risk of hypoglycemia or using a pump. Counsel patients without diabetes that current evidence does not support CGM use for health improvement or diabetes prevention.
