Can a Selfie Detect Diabetes? How Hibiscus Health Is Transforming Preventive Care
Selfies as a window into your health? It’s no longer a futuristic idea — it’s here, and it’s working. With a frictionless user experience and strong early results, Hibiscus Health is showing that sometimes the most powerful health tool is already in your pocket.
Produced by Nicole Kinsey
Can a selfie do more than capture a moment? What if it could also help detect your risk for chronic conditions like diabetes — no blood tests, no doctor visits, just your smartphone? That’s the bold vision behind Hibiscus Health, led by serial entrepreneur Kavi Misri, a two-time member of the StartUp Health community.
We sat down with Misri recently to get the latest updates on how Hibiscus Health is transforming preventive care using facial scan technology. The company’s groundbreaking platform analyzes facial blood flow using just a selfie — no wearables, no labs — making health screening faster, easier, and more accessible. And it’s catching fire with employers and health plans alike.
Turning Selfies Into Screenings
“We use facial blood flow analysis to identify biomarkers,” explained Misri. “Being able to do a 30-second face scan to detect a diabetes risk… comes from vitals like your hemoglobin A1C, triglycerides, cholesterol, and blood pressure.”
It sounds futuristic, but it’s working. Hibiscus’ technology analyzes subtle shifts in facial blood flow captured by a smartphone or webcam — no special hardware required. And the accuracy is impressive:
A1C detection is 85% accurate,
Triglycerides and cholesterol: 90%,
Blood pressure: 98%,
This is a powerful screening tool that gets people into care faster. “We're not inventing the wheel,” said Misri. “We’re transforming a stone wheel into a rubber wheel.”
Built for Self-Funded Employers
Hibiscus Health is focused on helping large, self-funded employers manage risk and lower long-term costs. With over 100 million Americans living with prediabetes — and most unaware — the stakes are high.
“Every year, 10% of the employee workforce progresses into Type 2 diabetes,” Misri said. “Managing Type 2 costs $20,000 more per employee per year than managing prediabetes. That’s $2.6 million annually for a company with 2,000 employees.”
In pilot programs, Hibiscus is seeing:
30% of employees completing the face scan within a week
87% of those flagged as medium or high risk
70% of users booking follow-up appointments with a dietitian
“These are people who weren’t already in the care system,” said Misri. “We’re identifying de novo populations who wouldn’t otherwise see a primary care doctor until it’s too late.”
From Screenings to Full-Spectrum Care
Hibiscus doesn’t stop at detection. Their ecosystem includes a mobile app that supports users between appointments with:
Food and vitals logging
A dietitian chatbot
A “digital twin” feature to visualize body composition changes
Instacart integration for easy meal planning
“Our app shows you what your body might look like in three, six, or nine months,” said Misri. “It’s incredibly engaging.”
It’s a full-circle approach to end-to-end care, making it easier for users to stay engaged between appointments and take real steps toward better health.
Plus, the company recently added mental health services, recognizing that emotional wellbeing is deeply connected to physical health.
“You can’t have physiological health without addressing the mind and body together,” Misri said. “We now offer 24/7 concierge mental healthcare, from in-the-moment support to crisis management.”
Part of a Bigger Mission
Misri, a seasoned Health Transformer, previously led Rose Health (which was acquired) and is now tackling cardiometabolic disease prevention head-on with Hibiscus Health. His work is aligned with StartUp Health’s Cardiometabolic Health Moonshot Community, which supports entrepreneurs addressing heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and more.
What’s Next
With recent validation from major health insurers and inclusion in Johnson & Johnson's portfolio, Hibiscus Health is in full distribution mode — expanding B2B pilots and filing patents to protect its proprietary tech.
“We're commercializing fast,” Misri said. “We launched our first enterprise contract in NYC with 1,800 employees and have four more pilots kicking off this quarter.”
Connect with Hibiscus Health via email
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