New Global Assessment Shows Wide Gaps in Type 1 Diabetes Care for Children Worldwide

When a child is diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, the quality of care they receive depends heavily on where they live and what their healthcare clinic can offer. A new international study set out to measure how prepared clinics around the world are to provide that care and participate in research that could improve it.

Researchers created a tool called READY-T1D to evaluate 244 clinics across 21 countries. The assessment focused on two main areas: how well clinics deliver Type 1 diabetes services to young patients, and how ready they are to conduct research. Each area was scored on a scale where 4 represents the highest level of readiness.

The study included a mix of clinic types—some were established research centers, others were smaller satellite clinics, and some were independent facilities. This variety reflects how Type 1 diabetes care is organized differently around the world.

The assessment found that many clinics have successfully built the foundation for basic Type 1 diabetes care. Most offer HbA1c testing, which measures blood sugar control over time, and screening for complications like kidney and eye problems. These are essential services that help prevent serious health problems down the road.

Clinics also scored well on resource management and accessibility—meaning they generally organize their budgets and staffing thoughtfully, and patients can reach them. Regular scheduled visits are common, which is important for keeping track of a young person's health and adjusting treatment as needed.

Despite these strengths, the study identified significant gaps. Advanced diagnostic tools and continuous glucose monitoring—a technology that helps people track blood sugar in real time—are rare in many clinics, even though they can improve health outcomes substantially.

Staffing and testing facilities emerged as the weakest areas. This suggests that many clinics, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, struggle to hire enough trained professionals or maintain the laboratories and equipment needed for comprehensive care.

There is also substantial variation within countries. This means that even in the same nation, some children have access to far better resources and care than others, depending on where they live.

While clinics showed moderate readiness for service delivery (average score 2.5 out of 4), their readiness to conduct research was notably lower (average score 1.8 out of 4). This matters because research helps scientists understand how to prevent Type 1 diabetes, improve treatments, and identify which interventions work best.

The gap suggests that many clinics, even those providing reasonable day-to-day care, may lack the infrastructure, training, or support needed to participate in clinical trials or research studies. This is particularly true in resource-limited settings where the burden of Type 1 diabetes is growing fastest.

Type 1 diabetes incidence is rising globally, and the burden is increasingly shifting toward low- and middle-income countries—where healthcare resources are most stretched. The READY-T1D findings show that clinics in these regions face real obstacles in delivering comprehensive care and contributing to research that could benefit their own communities.

For families with a child newly diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, this study underscores the importance of understanding what services are available locally and advocating for access to evidence-based care. It also highlights the need for global investment in staffing, training, and equipment to level the playing field—so that where a child lives doesn't determine the quality of care they receive.

Source: EClinicalMedicine. Evidence type: PubMed indexed literature. Type1Cure is an information and intelligence hub, not a medical advice service. This article summarizes published research and does not provide diagnosis, treatment, or personal medical guidance. Always talk to your own care team before changing anything about your Type 1 diabetes management.