THE BARRIERS preventing some children and young people with Type 1 diabetes from accessing or effectively using diabetes technology in the UK have been exposed by the UNBIASED study.
The UNBIASED Study: Barriers Exposed
The study, led by Professor May Ng and funded by Diabetes UK, heard testimonies from children from ethnic minority backgrounds or deprived areas and their families, with healthcare professional perspectives also analysed.
Children faced barriers around communication and being understood: young people found it hard to connect with, and trust, healthcare professionals who did not share the same background, with some feeling misunderstood around language, faith, and food.
Unconscious bias also played a role on the part of healthcare professionals.
Not all young people understood that diabetes technology is free on the NHS.
Further, travel costs, healthcare locations, and safety concerns created difficulties in attending appointments.
Children and young people did not always understand medical acronyms and found industry pamphlets to be too technical.
Researchers also described a postcode lottery whereby some children and young people get excellent support, whilst others are left to struggle.
Key Recommendations
The study highlighted the need to ensure that all children and young people in the UK, particularly those from minority or low-income families, are aware that diabetes technology is free.
It also recommended the implementation of standardised, culturally appropriate and compassionate diabetes technology education programmes across all NHS Trusts.
Also in education, outreach services were recommended to support children and young people with Type 1 diabetes.
Researchers called for the eradication of discrimination in the healthcare system and a ‘Diabetes Network’ whereby young people can access peer support from others from similar backgrounds.
Innovations in Diabetes Technology
There has been significant progress in diabetes technologies and reductions in inequity in recent years.
Yet, issues persist, with children and young people from some ethnic minority backgrounds, particularly Black children, and those living in more disadvantaged communities historically seeing lower rates of diabetes technology use.
They also continue to experience higher average blood sugar levels than their White and more affluent peers.
Researchers made an urgent call for standardised policies, increased awareness campaigns, culturally tailored education, peer support initiatives, and improved healthcare provider training to ensure equitable access for all children and young people with Type 1 diabetes in the UK.
Reference
Ng M et al. Recommendations from the United Kingdom UNBIASED study to address diabetes technology access disparities for children and young people. Diabetes Technol Ther. 2026;10.1177/15209156261417292.
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