Ethnic minorities in England less likely to have access to diabetes tech – study

‘Concerning’ disparities in access to continuous glucose monitors despite black and south Asian people being more likely to live with condition

People from ethnic minority backgrounds in England are less likely to have access to the latest diabetes technology, despite being more likely to live with the condition, according to analysis.

Devices such as a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) can help people check their blood glucose levels in order to better manage the disease.

Without this technology, people with diabetes are left with much less efficient and inconvenient ways of managing their blood sugar levels, such as through finger pricking.

The study, published in the journal Diabetic Medicine, found significant disparities in access to continuous glucose monitors, with people from black and south Asian backgrounds facing lower prescribing rates per 1,000 people.