The UNBIASED study, funded by us here at Diabetes UK, sheds light on barriers that prevent some children and young people with type 1 diabetes from accessing or effectively using diabetes technology. And practical solutions to help make sure every child gets the support and tools they need.
More and more children and young people with type 1 diabetes in the UK are now using diabetes technology, like continuous glucose monitors, insulin pumps and hybrid closed loop systems. This tech can make managing blood sugar levels easier, safer, and give children more freedom to live their lives.
We’ve seen huge progress in access to tech in recent years. But its life-changing benefits aren’t reaching everyone equally.
Children and young people from ethnic minority backgrounds and those living in more disadvantaged communities are still less likely to use diabetes tech, and continue to experience higher average blood sugar levels, than their White and more affluent peers.
The UNBIASED study
To explore why some children and young people face additional barriers to accessing or using diabetes tech – and what could help overcome them – we funded the UNBIASED study led by Professor May Ng at Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals.
Children from ethnic minority backgrounds or deprived areas, and their families, told the researchers about the challenges they face and what they think could help. While Healthcare professionals also shared their perspectives and ideas.
The barriers and solutions
“They didn’t understand me, my accent, my dialect.”
“I thought we had to pay for this. No one corrected me when I said we couldn’t afford it.”
Watch this video to hear about the barriers and practical recommendations uncovered.
If you’re a healthcare professional, this action sheet outlines steps to address inequities, challenge biases, and ensure fair access. Equity in diabetes tech starts with you.
Further resources
Explore these shareable resources to find out more about the UNBIASED study’s findings.
Visual resources
- Infographic summary of children and young people’s barriers and recommendations
- Video: In their words – what children, young people and their families told us about diabetes tech, access and fairness
- Video: The UNBIASED study’s findings for healthcare professionals
Publications
- Bridging the digital divide: The UNBIASED national study to unravel the impact of ethnicity and deprivation on diabetes technology disparities in the United Kingdom
- Understanding inequities in access to diabetes technologies in children and young people with type 1 diabetes: Qualitative study of healthcare professionals' perspectives and views
- Improving access to diabetes technologies in children and young people with type 1 diabetes: Healthcare professionals' perspectives and views
- Recommendations from the United Kingdom UNBIASED study to address diabetes technology access disparities for children and young people
Getting the support you need
- If you’re aged 11-25 and living with type 1 diabetes, you can join our Together Type 1 community to connect with other young people and get support if you’re struggling to get or make best use of diabetes tech.
- You can talk to a trained advisor on our helpline for information and advice on diabetes tech, or just to have a chat.
- Head over to our online forum to join hundreds of members talking about their experience with diabetes tech. You can ask questions or read conversations between existing members.
- Join Diabetes UK’s free Learning Zone for personalised advice, top tips and ongoing support.
- Read about the different types of diabetes technology and what you can get on the NHS.
What’s next?
The UNBIASED team hope their practical recommendations can support the NHS to break down the remaining barriers and ensure that every child and young person with type 1 diabetes can access and effectively use the tech they need to thrive.
Tackling Inequity is a pillar of our strategy here at Diabetes UK. As the rollout of diabetes tech continues, equality and fairness must stay at the heart of progress. We’ll continue to monitor access and health outcomes closely, staying alert to any new barriers that appear, as others are overcome, to make sure no one is left behind.
