An American Diabetes Association study highlights disparities in continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) access for children with type 1 diabetes, revealing delays for publicly insured and minority children. The research, presented at the 84th American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions, underscores the urgent need for more equitable access to diabetes technology in the United States.
Principal investigator Dr. Mette K. Borbjerg (above) from the Steno Diabetes Center North Denmark and the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) emphasized the significance of timely CGM access: “Our results highlight the marked difference in HbA1c in children that receive CGM early on,” she stated. “Ensuring timely CGM access for all children is essential to reduce complication risks. This highlights the need for practices and policies to address barriers to CGM initiation and healthcare access.”
The study analyzed data from over 250 children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Publicly insured children and those from minority groups experienced delays in starting recommended type 1 diabetes treatment with CGM technology compared to their counterparts with private insurance or from non-Hispanic White families. The median time from diagnosis to CGM initiation was significantly longer for publicly insured individuals (6.19 months) than for privately insured individuals (2.23 months).
See “Minority Children, Publicly Insured with T1D Experience Delays in CGM Access” (June 22, 2024)
