Pilot and Feasibility Studies to Improve Technology Adoption and Reduce Health Disparities in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

May 2021 Council

Lead Division/Office

DEM

Point(s) of Contact

Miranda Broadney, M.D., M.P.H.

Executive Summary

The overarching goal of this initiative is to reduce health disparities in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) through improving technology usage within individuals from minority racial and ethnic backgrounds. Significant disparities exist in both health outcomes and health technology usage within T1D. Health outcomes data indicate that T1D patients from underrepresented backgrounds have worse glycemic control and increased morbidity and acute complications from their diabetes than peers of non-underrepresented backgrounds. Furthermore, data indicate that the rate of technology use (most commonly defined as the use of insulin infusion pump and/or continuous glucose monitoring) is significantly lower within patients of underrepresented backgrounds comparatively. These disparities are likely interconnected and there is a need to develop effective interventions to improve technology adoption in minority populations. This initiative will fund investigator-initiated research proposals aimed at improving technology use in patients with T1D of underrepresented backgrounds. The goals will be to identify, develop, determine feasibility, and pilot efficacy of interventions designed to improve technology adoption, glycemia and patient reported outcomes including quality of life in individuals from underrepresented backgrounds with T1D.