Ethnic Disparities in Diabetes Tech Access Leave Minority Groups at Risk
A new analysis reveals that individuals from ethnic minority backgrounds in England are significantly less likely to have access to crucial diabetes technology, despite facing a disproportionately higher risk of developing the condition. This gap in access threatens to exacerbate existing health inequities and worsen outcomes for vulnerable populations.
The study, published in the journal Diabetic Medicine, highlights the disparity in access to devices like continuous glucose monitors (CGM), which allow individuals to track blood glucose levels in real-time, offering a more efficient and convenient alternative to traditional finger-pricking methods. Without this technology, managing diabetes becomes considerably more challenging.
Researchers found that people of Black and South Asian descent experience lower prescribing rates for CGMs per 1,000 individuals. In 2024, 17.5% of the population served by integrated care boards (ICBs) with below-average CGM prescribing rates identified as belonging to an ethnic minority group. Conversely, ethnic minorities comprised only 5.3% of the population within ICBs demonstrating higher-than-average prescribing rates.
Approximately 5.8 million people across the UK live with diabetes, and individuals of Black and South Asian heritage are particularly susceptible to developing type 2 diabetes, sometimes by the age of 25.
Samuel Seidu, lead author and a professor in primary care diabetes and cardio-metabolic medicine at the University of Leicester, described the study as the “first national analysis in England to demonstrate, with robust prescribing data, that significant ethnic inequalities exist in access to continuous glucose monitoring across both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.” He added that while the disparity isn’t entirely unexpected, it is “concerning as previous research internationally, especially in the US, has repeatedly shown lower adoption of diabetes technologies in minority ethnic groups.”
The study underscores a pattern of structural inequities in healthcare access, with ethnicity and deprivation collectively accounting for up to 77% of the variation in CGM prescribing for type 2 diabetes. This suggests deeply embedded systemic barriers.
Current guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommend that all adults with type 1 diabetes, and those with specific types of type 2 diabetes, should have access to diabetes technology, including CGMs. However, the research demonstrates that these guidelines are not being consistently implemented across England.
Anthony Walker, policy lead at Diabetes UK, stated the research revealed “the very real inequities” in access to “life-changing tech.” He emphasized the importance of raising awareness within underserved communities and providing healthcare professionals with the resources to identify and address access gaps through targeted interventions. “It is vital that NICE’s guidelines are adopted consistently, so that everyone who could stand to benefit from this transformative technology can access it,” Walker said.
Financial constraints also play a role, as previous reporting has revealed that families from deprived backgrounds often struggle to afford the smartphones necessary to fully utilize NHS-provided diabetes technology, particularly for managing type 1 diabetes in young children.
Daniel Newman, a diabetes advocate diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as a child, shared his personal experience, stating, “I myself had to move my diabetes care to a different hospital to get access to the tech I knew I was entitled to.” He argued that access to CGMs should be determined by clinical need, “not determined by postcode, ethnicity or income,” and called for the dismantling of systemic barriers preventing individuals from receiving essential tools for managing their health.
An NHS England spokesperson affirmed the organization’s commitment to providing effective care to all individuals living with diabetes, noting increased funding to support GPs in diagnosis and treatment. They also highlighted the creation of specialist programs aimed at addressing inequalities for patients with young-onset type 2 diabetes, providing tailored support and health checks.
The findings underscore the urgent need for a comprehensive and equitable approach to diabetes care, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of ethnicity or socioeconomic status, have access to the technology and support they need to live well with this chronic condition.
