Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a lifelong progressive disease. Currently there are more than 285 million DM-affected people worldwide. Globally the prevalence of diabetes continues to rise and is more pronounced in countries with large populations such as China, India and USA. Driving forces behind the epidemic are obesity, aging of the population and longer life expency. Prospective, the majority of diabetic population will be in their six to eight decades of life with the implication of more females than males. Severe micro- and macrovascular complications associated with diabetes lead to a highly increased morbidity and mortality. Therefore, DM is projected to be one of the leading health problems of 21st centuary. Urgent measures are required to reduce the diabetic burden. Thus advanced predictive diagnostic tools and personalized treatment strategies in (pre)diabetic care are critical and should exert beneficial impact on public health.

Our objective was to explore and prototype new products to facilitate improved hand hygiene after defecation by overcoming the constraints associated with soap use in low income settings, specifically urban slums in India. We used a systematic user-centred innovation process which led to the design of two products with user appeal ready for market trials, and one further concept ready for feasibility testing and further product development.