We Are on the Verge of Breakthrough Cures for Type 1 Diabetes, but Who Are the 2 Million Americans Who Have It?

Abstract

Two million Americans have Type 2 Diabetes. Innovative treatments have standardized insulin delivery and improved outcomes for patients, but patients' access to such technologies depends on social determinants of health, including insurance coverage, proper diagnosis, and appropriate patient supports. Prior estimates of US prevalence, incidence, and patient characteristics have relied on data from select regions and younger ages and miss important determinants. By contrast, our research leveraged nationally representative administrative claims datasets to build a nuanced picture of the population with T1DM. Our work also supports future policy and research efforts with 2025, 2029, and 2035 projections of demographic and insurance coverage for people with T1DM.