Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 1, 2025
08:16
Author Spotlight: Advancing Type 1 Diabetes Research Using Innovative Pancreatic Slice Platforms
Published on: March 15, 2024
1.8K
Can Innovative Technologies Overcome HbA1c Disparity for African-American Youth with Type 1 Diabetes?
Stuart Chalew1, Alan M Delamater2, Sonja Washington3
1Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Children's Hospital of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA, USA.
Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology
|June 17, 2021
Summary
Most children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) do not meet glycemic control targets. New technology, carefully applied, may help overcome racial disparities in HbA1c outcomes for T1D patients.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Pediatrics
- Diabetes Management
Background:
- Achieving optimal glycemic control, measured by HbA1c, is crucial for preventing long-term complications in type 1 diabetes (T1D).
- Despite advancements in diabetes technology and care guidelines, most children with T1D fail to reach target HbA1c levels.
- Significant racial disparities exist, with African American children experiencing higher HbA1c levels compared to Non-Hispanic White children, a gap not closed by current technologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the persistent racial disparities in glycemic control among children with T1D.
- To explore how technology and team support can address these disparities and improve patient outcomes.
- To identify strategies for overcoming barriers to achieving target HbA1c levels in diverse pediatric T1D populations.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of existing data on HbA1c levels and technology use in pediatric T1D patients.
- Review of factors contributing to racial disparities in diabetes management.
- Conceptual framework for technology deployment and team support in T1D care.
Main Results:
- The majority of children with T1D do not achieve recommended HbA1c goals.
- Racial disparities in HbA1c are evident, with African Americans disproportionately affected.
- Current diabetes management technologies have not eliminated these racial outcome gaps.
Conclusions:
- Careful implementation of new technologies, alongside robust patient/family support and diabetes team involvement, is essential.
- Addressing racial disparities in T1D requires a multifaceted approach focusing on technology application and enhanced care delivery.
- Optimizing technology use and team support can potentially improve glycemic outcomes and quality of life for all children with T1D.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Diabetes Mellitus: Overview and Type I Subtype
4.1K
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by high blood glucose levels due to inadequate insulin production, insulin resistance, or both. The condition affects millions worldwide and can significantly impact their health and quality of life.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. As a result, the body is unable to produce sufficient insulin, and individuals with...
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. As a result, the body is unable to produce sufficient insulin, and individuals with...
4.1K
01:15Diabetes: Management and Pharmacotherapy
648
The therapy for diabetes aims to alleviate hyperglycemia-related symptoms, prevent acute metabolic decompensation, and reduce chronic end-organ complications. Glycemic control is evaluated through short-term (self-monitoring, continuous glucose monitoring) and long-term (A1c, fructosamine) metrics, enabling near real-time tracking of blood glucose levels and reflecting glycemic control over specific time frames.
Insulin remains the cornerstone of treatment for most patients with type 1 and many...
Insulin remains the cornerstone of treatment for most patients with type 1 and many...
648
01:22Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational
3.6K
Type 2 diabetes, characterized by insulin resistance, arises when the insulin receptors on cells lose responsiveness to insulin, diminishing the cell's capacity to take up glucose, resulting in elevated blood glucose levels. To receive a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes, a series of blood glucose tests are necessary to assess whether the blood glucose falls within normal parameters. If the result is out of the normal range, a patient may be diagnosed as prediabetic or diabetic, depending on the...
3.6K
01:15Diabetes: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Complications
1.4K
For most patients, experiencing several weeks of polyuria, polydipsia, fatigue, and significant weight loss may indicate the presence of diabetes. Furthermore, adults displaying the phenotypic appearance of type 2 diabetes (particularly those who are obese and not initially insulin-requiring), may have islet cell autoantibodies, suggesting autoimmune-mediated β cell destruction and a diagnosis of latent autoimmune diabetes of adults (LADA). The categorization of glucose homeostasis is...
1.4K
01:16Insulin: Dosing Regimen and Adverse Effects
343
Insulin-replacement therapy usually includes both long-acting insulin (basal) and short-acting insulin (to cater to postprandial needs). In a diverse group of type 1 diabetes patients, the average daily insulin dose is typically 0.5-0.7 units/kg body weight. However, obese patients and pubertal adolescents may need more due to insulin resistance.
The basal dose constitutes about 40%-50% of the total daily dose, with the rest as premeal insulin. The mealtime insulin dose should mirror...
The basal dose constitutes about 40%-50% of the total daily dose, with the rest as premeal insulin. The mealtime insulin dose should mirror...
343
01:27Insulin Formulations: Types and Delivery
346
Insulin preparations are categorized by their duration of action into short-acting and long-acting types. Two strategies are used to modify insulin's absorption and pharmacokinetic profile: slowing the absorption post-subcutaneous injection, or altering human insulin's amino acid sequence or protein structure. These changes retain the insulin's ability to bind to the insulin receptor, but alter its behavior in solution or after injection.
Short-acting insulins are divided into...
Short-acting insulins are divided into...
346