TORONTO and NEW YORK, Sept. 21, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — JDRF, the world’s leading type 1 diabetes (T1D) research and advocacy organization, announces the launch of the Type 1 Diabetes Index (Index DT1). The T1D Index is a unique data simulation tool that measures the human and public health impact of the T1D crisis in all countries around the world. Until now, there have been large gaps in data on the incidence and impact of T1D. Harnessing data and information from the T1D Index can help change the lives of people living with T1D by identifying feasible country-by-country interventions, including rapid diagnosis, accessible care and research funding that could lead to cures.
The T1D index and accompanying research has been published in the world’s leading medical journal on diabetes and endocrinology, The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology.
T1D is an autoimmune disease and one of the fastest growing chronic diseases, affecting nearly nine million people worldwide. Some factors like family history can increase the risk, but it’s not caused by diet or lifestyle. T1D causes the pancreas to produce very little, if any, insulin, which means the human body cannot convert food into energy, which can lead to long-term complications, including kidney damage, eyes, nerves, heart and even premature death. There is currently no cure for T1D.
“As a member of the T1D community, I know that many are not as fortunate as me to have the resources to live a healthy and fulfilling life,” said Aaron Kowalski, Ph.D., CEO of JDRF. “That’s why I’m so proud that significant progress has been made in understanding the overall impact of T1D through the T1D Index. We call on governments and public health decision makers around the world to use the tool to identify and implement interventions that can change the trajectory of T1D.
“The Index offers unprecedented opportunities to not only measure the real impact of T1D, but also to enable positive change,” said Dr. Sarah Linklater, Scientific Director of JDRF Canada. “The Index’s ability to observe trends over time shows the incredible progress we have made in improving lives – but it also shows how much work remains to be done to ensure that T1D does not will not diminish the quality or length of life of those affected in the future.”
JDRF collaborated with key partners and experts around the world to develop the T1D Index – using results from a global survey of over 500 endocrinologists and 400 publications to simulate the state of T1D globally and at country level.
The index uniquely sheds light on the human burden of T1D by highlighting the “missing people”, i.e. the number of people who would still be alive today if they had not died prematurely in due to complications of T1D, and the “lost healthy years”, which represents time. lost to poor health, disability or premature death from living with T1D.
T1D index simulations suggest that in 2022, globally, there are more than 3.86 million “missing people” and an average of 32 “lost healthy years” due to T1D per person, if diagnosed at age 10.
T1D represents a heavy human, emotional and financial burden for those living with it and its prevalence is increasing. The T1D Index simulations led to the identification of four key interventions that could change the current trajectory of T1D and its impact on people around the world:
- Quick diagnosis: enabling better education and training of healthcare professionals to accurately diagnose T1D. If the world’s population has access to rapid diagnosis from 2023, an additional 668,000 people could be alive in 2040.
- Insulin and strips: creating barrier-free access to insulin and blood glucose test strips. If the world’s population has access to insulin and test strips from 2023, and support to self-manage the disease, an additional 1.98 million people could be alive in 2040.
- Pumps and CGMs: ensuring that everyone living with T1D has access to technology that automates blood glucose monitoring and insulin delivery. 673,000 more people could be alive in 2040 if all people with T1D had access to the technology available from 2023.
- Prevention and remedies: Advocate for further investment and research in emerging prevention, treatments and cures. 890,000 more people could be alive in 2040 if we find a cure.
Once interventions are identified at the global and national level, the T1D Index encourages users to take action by sharing data and findings with their networks and local decision-makers, and by connecting with other T1D advocates in their communities.
Additionally, the T1D Index highlights important statistics on the burden of T1D around the world, including:
- Since 2000, the prevalence of T1D has increased to four times the growth rate of the world’s population.
- The projected number of people living with T1D in 2040 will be 17.43 million.
- The number of “missing people” in 2040 is projected to be 6.85 million in the absence of new initiatives that improve access to care, supplies or healing and preventive therapies
The T1D index data simulations are the best estimate currently available with version 1.0 testing within +/- 6% of real world data. This is a significant improvement over existing leading estimates which test to +/- 35% against the same data. It is a collaborative development of JDRF, Life for a Child, International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD), International Diabetes Federation (IDF), and Beyond Type 1. The T1D Index is supported by founding sponsor, Abbott Diabetes Care, with additional support from Lilly, Vertex Pharmaceuticals and The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust. In future versions, the index will expand to include the impact of T1D on economic costs, mental health and quality of life. Data will also be disaggregated at regional and demographic levels.
You can find out more about the DT1 index here.*
*currently available in EN only
About JDRF
JDRF’s mission is to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications. To do this, JDRF has invested more than $2.5 billion in research funding since its inception. It is an organization built on a grassroots model of people connecting in their local communities, collaborating regionally for effectiveness and broader fundraising impact, and uniting on the national stage to pool resources, passion and energy. It collaborates with academic institutions, policymakers, and commercial and industrial partners to develop and deliver a pipeline of innovative therapies for people living with T1D. JDRF staff and volunteers across the United States and five international affiliates are dedicated to advocacy, community engagement and the vision of a world without T1D. For more information, please visit jdrf.org or follow on Twitter (@JDRF), Facebook (@myjdrf) and Instagram (@jdrfhq).
About JDRF Canada
JDRF Canada is the primary charitable organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research in Canada. Our mission is to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications. Since its founding in 1974, JDRF has invested over C$80 million in research funding. We are an organization built on a grassroots model of people connecting in their local communities, collaborating regionally for effectiveness and broader fundraising impact, and uniting on the national stage to bring pool resources, passion and energy. We collaborate with academic institutions, governments, and commercial and industrial partners to develop and deliver a portfolio of innovative therapies for people living with T1D. Our staff and volunteers across Canada and our five international affiliates are dedicated to advocacy, community engagement and our shared vision of a world without T1D. For more information, please visit jdrf.ca.
About Type 1 Diabetes (T1D)
T1D is an autoimmune disease that causes the pancreas to produce very little or no insulin, leading to long-term complications that can include spikes and dips in blood sugar; kidney, eye, nerve and heart damage; and even death if left untreated. It is one of the fastest growing chronic diseases. Many believe that T1D is only diagnosed in childhood and early puberty, but diagnosis in adulthood is on the rise and accounts for nearly 50% of all T1D diagnoses. The onset is sudden and nothing can be done yet to prevent it – it is not related to diet or lifestyle. Although its causes are not yet fully understood, scientists believe that genetic factors and environmental triggers are involved. There is currently no cure for T1D.
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