JDRF, the leading global type 1 diabetes (T1D) research and advocacy organization, has announced the launch of the Type 1 Diabetes Index (T1D Index). 

The T1D Index is a first-of-its-kind data simulation tool that measures the human and public health impact of the T1D crisis in every country across the globe. Until now, there have been wide gaps in the data about the incidence and impact of T1D. 

Simulations from the T1D Index have led to the identification of four key interventions that could change the current trajectory for T1D and its impact on people around the world:

Timely diagnosis: If the global population has access to timely diagnosis from 2023, 668,000 more people could be alive in 2040.

Insulin and strips: If the global population has access to insulin and testing strips from 2023, and coaching to self-manage the condition, 1.98 million more people could be alive in 2040.

Pumps and CGMs: 673,000 more people could be alive in 2040 if everyone with T1D has access to the technology available from 2023.

Prevention and cure: Making the case for further investment and research in emerging prevention, treatments and cures. 890,000 more people could be alive in 2040 if we find cures.

The Index also uniquely illuminates the human burden of T1D by highlighting “missing people,” which is the number of people who would still be alive today if they had not died early due to complications from T1D, and “healthy years lost,” which represents time lost to ill-health, disability or early death from living with T1D.

JDRF collaborated with key partners and experts around the world to develop the T1D Index, supported by founding corporate sponsor, Abbott, with additional support from Lilly, Vertex Pharmaceuticals and The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust.