About this Research Topic

Background

The uptake of diabetes technology such as continuous glucose monitoring, insulin pumps and automated insulin delivery in people with type 1 diabetes, specifically in young people with type 1 diabetes, is rapidly increasing. These technological advances have been shown to improve glycemic control and psychosocial outcomes. Despite these benefits, uptake in countries across the globe varies greatly.



Inequity in access to technology is severe problem. It leads to inequalities and may become even more pronounced as diabetes technology evolves further. It has been shown that use of diabetes technology is lowest and HbA1c is highest in those with low socioeconomic status. Another predictor seems to be gender; female gender for example appears to be a positive predictor of uptake in insulin pumps. Moreover, one of the major barriers is funding, however even if economic barriers are overcome, access to technology is not guaranteed. This may be due to social and health system disparities among other issues.



This Research Topic seeks to give a picture of the current status quo of equity in access to diabetes technology and beyond in people with type 1 diabetes in high-income countries (but not limited to those) around the globe. It aims at clarifying future research priorities, and promoting approaches and strategies that are suitable to narrow the gap in access inequalities in diabetes technology and beyond.



All article types, particularly original research and review articles highlighting equity issues in access to diabetes technology for people with type 1 diabetes, specifically young people but also adults, around the globe and strategies to address inequities are welcome. This includes articles focusing on, but not limited to, barriers and facilitators around:

• Socioeconomic disparities

• Migration

• Diabetes comorbidities

• Gender

• Health care professionals and health system

• Peer support and education

Keywords: Type 1 diabetes, pediatric, diabetes technology, continuous glucose monitoring, insulin pump, access, disparity, socio-economic

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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