New Virtual Peer Program Designed for Latinx Teens With Type 1 Diabetes

Latinx adolescents with type 1 diabetes face unique challenges. Research shows this group uses diabetes technology—like continuous glucose monitors and insulin pumps—less frequently than other populations, and their health outcomes reflect this gap. For teenagers managing a complex condition like type 1 diabetes, having access to tools and support tailored to their community can make a real difference.

DREAM stands for Device use Reimagined through Education And Mentorship. It's a virtual peer support program developed specifically for Latinx adolescents with type 1 diabetes and their caregivers. Rather than one-size-fits-all resources, DREAM was built from the ground up with input from Latinx teens and families who live with type 1 diabetes every day.

The program brings participants together in online groups to discuss six key topics related to diabetes self-care. Sessions run over 6 to 12 months, and all content is available in both English and Spanish. Facilitators leading the groups were chosen for their linguistic fluency, cultural understanding, and personal or professional connection to type 1 diabetes.

This wasn't a top-down program imposed on the community. Researchers started by holding focus groups with Latinx adolescents and caregivers to ask what they actually needed. Those conversations revealed an urgent desire for community connection, peer support, and information about diabetes management that felt relevant to their lives.

A multi-site community advisory council—made up of people from the Latinx diabetes community—guided every step of development. They shaped the topics covered, the language used, and the format of sessions. They also emphasized the importance of community-building beyond clinical settings, so the program prioritizes connection and mutual support alongside education.

Researchers are now running a clinical trial to test whether DREAM actually improves technology use and health outcomes for Latinx adolescents with type 1 diabetes. The trial's design itself reflects input from the community—researchers made choices about how to run the study based on what participants told them mattered most.

This research addresses a real gap: virtual peer groups have shown promise for adolescents with type 1 diabetes overall, but they haven't been developed or tested with Latinx youth until now. The results could provide important insights into how to engage and support historically underrepresented groups in both clinical care and research.

Source: Contemporary clinical trials. 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.