Latest news with #insulinpump
Malay Mail
6 days ago
- Health
- Malay Mail
Barbie gets real: New doll features insulin pump and glucose monitor
LOS ANGELES, July 18 — Barbie has done many things since she first appeared in 1959. She's been an astronaut, a doctor, a president and even a palaeontologist. Now, in 2025, Barbie is something else: a woman with type 1 diabetes. Mattel's latest Barbie was recently launched by Lila Moss, a British model who lives with type 1 diabetes. The doll comes with a visible insulin pump and a continuous glucose monitor, devices many people with diabetes rely on. To some people, this might seem like just another version of the doll. But to kids living with type 1 diabetes — especially young girls — it's a big deal. This new Barbie is not just a toy. It's about being seen. What is type 1 diabetes? Type 1 diabetes is a condition where the body stops making insulin, the hormone that helps control blood sugar levels. It's not caused by lifestyle or diet. It's an autoimmune condition (a disorder where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells) and often starts in childhood. People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day, often through multiple injections or an insulin pump. They also need to check their blood sugar regularly, using finger pricks or a continuous glucose monitor worn on the skin (usually the upper arm). Although type 1 diabetes can be effectively managed, there is no cure. Millions of people across the world live with this condition, and numbers are on the rise. In Australia, type 1 diabetes affects more than 13,000 children and teens, while in New Zealand, around 2,500 children under 18 have type 1 diabetes. Globally, 1.8 million young people are affected. Managing type 1 diabetes isn't easy for children Young people with type 1 diabetes must think about their condition every day — at school, during sports, at sleepovers and even while playing. They may have to stop what they're doing and check their blood sugar levels. It can feel isolating and frustrating. Stigma is a big issue for children and young people with type 1 diabetes. Some young people feel embarrassed using their insulin pumps or checking their blood sugar in public. One study found pre-teens with diabetes sometimes felt they received unwanted attention when using devices such as insulin pumps and glucose monitors. Stigma can make young people less likely to take care of their diabetes, which can create problems for their health. Seeing a Barbie with an insulin pump and glucose monitor could make a significant difference. Children form their sense of identity early, and toys play a surprisingly powerful role in that process. While children with type 1 diabetes can often feel different from their peers, toys can help normalise their experience and reduce the sense of isolation that can come with managing a chronic condition. Research shows toys and media such as books and TV shows reflecting children's experiences can boost self-esteem, reduce stigma and improve emotional wellbeing. For girls especially, Barbie is more than a doll. She represents what is often perceived to be admired or desirable and this can influence how girls perceive their own bodies. A Barbie with a glucose monitor and insulin pump sends a clear message: this is part of real life. You're not alone. That kind of visibility is empowering. It tells children their condition doesn't define them or limit their potential. It also helps challenge outdated stereotypes about illness and disability. Some may worry a doll with a medical condition might make playtime too serious or scary. But in reality, play is how kids learn about the world. Toys that reflect real life — including health issues — can help children process emotions, ask questions, reduce fear and feel more in control. A broader shift towards inclusivity and representation Mattel's new Barbie shows diabetes and the devices needed to manage the condition in a positive, everyday way, and that matters. It can start conversations and help kids without diabetes learn what those devices are and why someone wears them. It builds understanding early. Mattel has added to its range of Barbies in recent years to showcase the beauty that everyone has. There are now Barbies with a wide range of skin tones, hair textures, body types and disabilities — including dolls with hearing aids, vitiligo (loss of skin pigmentation) and wheelchairs. The diabetes Barbie is part of this broader shift toward inclusivity and should be applauded. Every child should be able to find toys that reflect who they are, and the people they love. This Barbie won't make diabetes go away. But she might help a child feel more seen, more confident, more like their peers. She might help a classmate understand that a glucose monitor isn't scary — it's just something some people need. She might make a school nurse's job easier when explaining to teachers or students how to support a student with diabetes. Living with type 1 diabetes as a child is tough. Anything that helps kids feel a little more included, and a little less different, is worth celebrating. A doll might seem small. But to the right child, at the right moment, it could mean everything. — Reuters
Bloomberg
10-07-2025
- Health
- Bloomberg
Measles Are Back, Who Would Have Guessed?
This is Bloomberg Opinion Today, the longstanding processes for Bloomberg Opinion's opinions. Sign up here. This week, Mattel unveiled a Barbie that has Type 1 diabetes and comes with an insulin pump and a glucose monitor. In a press release, Barbie's senior VP Krista Berger said the T1D doll will help 'shape children's early perceptions of the world.' If Robert F. Kennedy Jr. keeps up his attack on childhood vaccines, maybe the next Barbie will have measles:
Health Line
09-07-2025
- Health
- Health Line
Why You Can Enjoy Swimming Pools and Hot Tubs with Diabetes
People with diabetes can have fun at pools and hot tubs. However, they may need to adjust insulin dosages, keep supplies and medications cool and dry, and closely watch blood sugars to avoid low blood sugars It's not all fun and games for people with diabetes when it comes to enjoying swimming pools, sunning at the beach, or relaxing in a hot tub. Managing blood sugar spikes and dips in the summer heat can be a challenge all on its own. But people with diabetes may also be thinking about emergency treatments for medical emergencies, making sure their devices and supplies are kept at safe temperatures, and any adhesives from insulin pumps or continuous glucose monitor (CGM) sensors don't fall off due to water, sweat, or moving around in the water. A little advanced planning and attention in the water can make all the difference in staying on top of diabetes management and ensure you stay safe and healthy. Using diabetes technology in pools or hot tubs Before you even dip your toes in the water, you will likely want to start thinking about where your diabetes devices and any supplies you typically use will be kept. Even if you aren't at the beach or the pool, it's important to remember that insulin and sunshine do not get along well. The ideal temperature for insulin longevity and efficacy is between 36 and 46 degrees, which is generally what refrigerators are set at and how insulin is stored until the first time it's opened and used. The hottest temperature insulin can withstand before it starts to break down and stops lowering blood sugar effectively is 86 degrees Fahrenheit. Note that some glucometers will also stop working if they overheat, flashing an error message if they hit a temperature outside of the acceptable range. Your diabetes in heat and humidity Hot and humid weather and scorching sunshine can affect glucose levels and other aspects of managing diabetes. This can include how insulin and other medications work, and possible dehydration that can lead to dangerously high and low blood sugars. Read more about how heat and humidity can affect your diabetes management and health overall. Tips to consider at the pool, beach, or hot tub You can protect your insulin pens, glass vials, and insulin pumps with any of the following approaches: Insulin storage: Do not leave your insulin or supplies in direct sunlight or in a very hot vehicle. This might mean taking them with you and putting them under an umbrella or a towel if there's no other shade. Insulin pump storage: Store your insulin pump in a cool, shady place out of direct exposure to the sun. Place an ice pack in your bag next to your diabetes kit. This may give you at least an hour of protection, depending on how hot it is outside. Remember not to put your insulin directly on top of an ice pack. Freezing insulin is just as destructive as overheating it. Cooling products: Consider buying a diabetes product designed to help protect your medication or supplies. This might include a Medicool pack or poncho to keep the ice packs in the right place or a Frio case activated by water to keep insulin temperatures at safe levels for up to several days. If you plan to keep your pump on while swimming for an extended period of time, consider using a waterproof case from sources like AquaPack. Adhesives: Use additional adhesive if necessary to protect your infusion site and CGM sensor site from coming off due to prolonged time in the water. Popular sources include Rock Tape, GrifGrips, Skin Tac, or Simpatch. Timing hot tub use: You might try to time when you get into a hot tub with when you're planning for insulin pump infusion or CGM sensor site changes. While not always possible, timing your infusion site change around a hot tub soak can mean you don't have to worry about the site coming loose or possible insulin damage from the hot water. Medical ID: Wear a diabetes medical ID bracelet or necklace when you're in the water or nearby, to help alert other people and lifeguards or paramedics to your condition. Can you swim with an insulin pump? Yes, you can swim if you wear an insulin pump. This form of physical activity is good for your health in general, and that is even more true for people with conditions that include diabetes. Having an insulin pump doesn't have to stop you from enjoying the water, as long as you take a few precautions. Various diabetes devices have certain limitations for how they can be used in water. For example: iLet by Beta Bionics is waterproof up to 12 feet deep for up to 30 minutes Medtronic's MiniMed 780G system is waterproof at a 12-foot depth for up to 24 hours Omnipod 5 by Insulet is waterproof in 25 feet for up to 60 minutes Tandem t:slim X2 is 'water-resistant' in 3 feet deep water for up to 30 minutes (the device user guide advises that the pump not be worn while swimming or in a hot tub) Always make sure to consult your diabetes device manufacturer's guidelines before exposing your insulin pump to any water. Swimming benefits for diabetes Swimming can benefit people with diabetes in several ways. These include improved insulin sensitivity and blood sugar levels, weight management, cardiovascular health, and mental health. Find out more about how swimming can help you, with diabetes or not. Your diabetes management at pools and hot tubs Consult your diabetes care team about how to handle times when you're enjoying swimming pools, hot tubs, and beach time. They can help you navigate these situations, from how to handle insulin dosing to changes you might experience from exercise and exposure to high temperatures. One suggestion they might have for people using insulin pumps is to be mindful of how long they might be disconnected from the device. That may affect blood sugars and longer-term management over several hours or an entire day. Your healthcare team can best guide you on taking an insulin bolus if you've been disconnected from the pump for more than 30 minutes, accounting for the amount of background basal insulin you might be missing during that time period. This is specific medical advice, so make sure to consult your doctor first. They will also likely instruct you to have fast-acting carbs, such as glucose tablets, on hand in case you experience a low blood sugar while at the pool, beach, or in a hot tub. Don't forget that swimming is an exercise and will affect your blood sugar levels. Are hot tubs safe for people with diabetes? Yes, hot tubs are OK for people with diabetes. However, they do require some extra care and attention, just as swimming pools and beachfront experiences do. They can affect blood sugar levels and increase the risk of hypoglycemia since the increased blood flow moves insulin faster throughout the body. Your doctor can help guide you on insulin dosing and blood sugar management that may need adjusting with hot tub use. Some suggest that people using insulin avoid taking a full mealtime or correction bolus before getting in a hot environment, and instead take a lower amount to help accommodate any blood sugar swing. Insulin dosing aside, the heat from the hot tub water can be dangerous for the insulin inside the pump and the infusion site's cannula, which delivers insulin under your skin. Most hot tubs are hotter than 95 degrees, which means an insulin pump should never be submerged, regardless of whether it's water-resistant or not. Traditional tubed pumps should be disconnected before you get into a hot tub Omnipod patch pumps can stay attached as long as they're on the upper body and can remain above the heated water CGM sensors have similar guidance about not submerging and keeping them above hot water, if possible If you accidentally immerse your pod in the hot water for too long, keep a very close eye on your blood sugars during the few hours afterward to make sure you don't experience any unexpected hyperglycemia. That could be a sign that the insulin is no longer effective, and you may need a new insulin set change to prevent diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). The takeaway When you live with diabetes, you can enjoy swimming pools, beach water adventures, and hot tubs. However, this may require some extra care and planning to ensure you do not experience any serious blood sugar fluctuations other diabetes-related issues. You can take simple steps to manage your diabetes while in the water or enjoying waterfront fun in the sun. These may include tracking blood sugars closely and properly storing insulin, medications, or diabetes devices in cooler temperatures and out of direct sunlight. It's important to stay hydrated and have fast-acting carbs on hand in case of low blood sugar. Your healthcare and diabetes team can help guide you on any insulin adjustments to make before or after you're at the pool or hot tub.
CNN
08-07-2025
- Health
- CNN
Hundreds of thousands of children have type 1 diabetes. Now, there's a Barbie who has it, too
The latest Barbie slays in a chic blue polka-dot crop top, ruffled miniskirt, chunky heels and an insulin pump. She is the brand's first doll with type 1 diabetes. Dollmaker Mattel worked with Breakthrough T1D, formerly known the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, to design the doll, which aims to represent the roughly 304,000 kids and teens living with type 1 diabetes in the United States. The doll launched Tuesday at the Breakthrough T1D Children's Congress, a three-day event in Washington that brings in kids and teens living with the condition to meet with lawmakers. This year, they're asking Congress to renew funding for the Special Diabetes Program, which was first allocated by Congress in 1997. The program's current funding ends after September. The advocacy efforts have taken on new urgency this year. With so many deep cuts to federally funded projects in recent months, Breakthrough T1D said it's anxiously watching to see if this funding will be reupped. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, meaning the body mistakenly attacks its own organs and tissues. In this case, rough antibodies go after cells in the pancreas that make insulin, an essential hormone that helps the body turn food into energy. As a result, the body doesn't make enough of its own insulin, so people have to take insulin by injection or though a pump to survive. Type 1 diabetes is typically diagnosed in childhood but can be diagnosed in anyone at any age. It differs from type 2 diabetes, in which people are still able to make insulin but their cells stop responding to it. In addition to the insulin pump that attaches to the new Barbie's waist, the chestnut-haired beauty has a continuous glucose monitor on her arm – a button held on by a strip of heart-shaped Barbie-pink tape. Her cell phone displays an app that shows her glucose readings. She also has a light blue purse to hold her supplies and snacks to help her manage her blood sugar throughout the day. It matches her shoes, of course. Emily Mazreku, director of marketing and communications at Breakthrough T1D, lives with type 1 diabetes and worked with Mattel to design the doll. Barbie's phone app displays a snapshot of her actual blood sugar readings from one day during the design process. Barbie's blood glucose reading is 130 milligrams of sugar per deciliter of blood, which is in the normal range. Most people with diabetes try to keep their blood sugar between 70 and 180 mg/ continuous glucose monitor has a graph that shows the highs and lows that can happen during the day. The blue polka dots are nods to the colors and symbols for diabetes awareness. Mazreku spent almost two years holding focus groups to get feedback about the features of the doll and to make sure it was representing the entire type 1 diabetes community. 'Mattel approached us, and they wanted this to be a part of their Fashionista line,' Mazreku said. 'And we jumped on that opportunity right away.' The line has dolls with more than 175 different looks, including a variety of skin tones, eye and hair colors. It includes a Barbie with behind-the-ear hearing aids, a blind doll who uses a cane and another with a prosthetic leg. There's also a doll with vitiligo, a condition in which skin loses its pigment and becomes splotchy. 'We know that increasing the number of people who can see themselves in Barbie continues to resonate,' said Devin Duff, a spokesperson for Mattel, in an email to CNN. The company said the blind Barbie and a doll with Down syndrome were among the most popular Fashionista dolls globally in 2024. The company launched its first doll with a disability — a friend for Barbie called Share-a-smile Becky, who used a wheelchair — in 1997. Customers noted at the time that Becky's wheelchair couldn't fit through the doors of the Barbie Dream House, a situation many people with disabilities encounter in real life. That insight is part of the value of having kids play with dolls that have disabilities, said Dr. Sian Jones, co-founder of the Toy Box Diversity Lab at Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh, Scotland. Jones and her colleague Dr. Clare Uytman study how playing with dolls and toys with a range of physical challenges can reduce systemic inequality for disabled people. It's based on a theory of mirrors and windows by Rudine Sims Bishop, a professor emerita of education at Ohio State University. Bishop realized that having diverse characters in books was good for all kids: It helps children from minority groups see themselves mirrored in the lives of book characters, and it gives kids a window into the lives of others, helping them build empathy. Jones says that when kids play with dolls that have mobility challenges, for example, it helps them identify and understand the struggles of people with disabilities whom they meet in real life. 'Barbie in a wheelchair cannot use the doll's house in their kindergarten classroom, so they have to build a ramp in order for her to be able to access the door to their doll's house, for example,' said Jones, who lives with cerebral palsy. When she started her work incorporating disabled dolls into school curricula, Jones said, there were few available for purchase. She mostly had to make them herself. Now, she can buy them from big companies like Lego and Mattel, 'which is wonderful.' Mazreku says the work to design the doll was well worth it. She recently got to bring one home to give to her 3-year-old daughter. 'I brought Barbie home to her and gave her a chance to interact with her and see her things,' Mazreku said. 'And she looked at me and she said, 'She looks like Mommy.' And that was so special for me.' Her daughter doesn't have type 1 diabetes, she said. 'But she sees me every day, living with it, representing and understanding and showing the world and wearing my devices confidently, and for her to see Barbie doing that was really special.'
CNN
08-07-2025
- Health
- CNN
Hundreds of thousands of children have type 1 diabetes. Now, there's a Barbie who has it, too
Chronic diseases Disability issuesFacebookTweetLink Follow The latest Barbie slays in a chic blue polka-dot crop top, ruffled miniskirt, chunky heels and an insulin pump. She is the brand's first doll with type 1 diabetes. Dollmaker Mattel worked with Breakthrough T1D, formerly known the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, to design the doll, which aims to represent the roughly 304,000 kids and teens living with type 1 diabetes in the United States. The doll launched Tuesday at the Breakthrough T1D Children's Congress, a three-day event in Washington that brings in kids and teens living with the condition to meet with lawmakers. This year, they're asking Congress to renew funding for the Special Diabetes Program, which was first allocated by Congress in 1997. The program's current funding ends after September. The advocacy efforts have taken on new urgency this year. With so many deep cuts to federally funded projects in recent months, Breakthrough T1D said it's anxiously watching to see if this funding will be reupped. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, meaning the body mistakenly attacks its own organs and tissues. In this case, rough antibodies go after cells in the pancreas that make insulin, an essential hormone that helps the body turn food into energy. As a result, the body doesn't make enough of its own insulin, so people have to take insulin by injection or though a pump to survive. Type 1 diabetes is typically diagnosed in childhood but can be diagnosed in anyone at any age. It differs from type 2 diabetes, in which people are still able to make insulin but their cells stop responding to it. In addition to the insulin pump that attaches to the new Barbie's waist, the chestnut-haired beauty has a continuous glucose monitor on her arm – a button held on by a strip of heart-shaped Barbie-pink tape. Her cell phone displays an app that shows her glucose readings. She also has a light blue purse to hold her supplies and snacks to help her manage her blood sugar throughout the day. It matches her shoes, of course. Emily Mazreku, director of marketing and communications at Breakthrough T1D, lives with type 1 diabetes and worked with Mattel to design the doll. Barbie's phone app displays a snapshot of her actual blood sugar readings from one day during the design process. Barbie's blood glucose reading is 130 milligrams of sugar per deciliter of blood, which is in the normal range. Most people with diabetes try to keep their blood sugar between 70 and 180 mg/ continuous glucose monitor has a graph that shows the highs and lows that can happen during the day. The blue polka dots are nods to the colors and symbols for diabetes awareness. Mazreku spent almost two years holding focus groups to get feedback about the features of the doll and to make sure it was representing the entire type 1 diabetes community. 'Mattel approached us, and they wanted this to be a part of their Fashionista line,' Mazreku said. 'And we jumped on that opportunity right away.' The line has dolls with more than 175 different looks, including a variety of skin tones, eye and hair colors. It includes a Barbie with behind-the-ear hearing aids, a blind doll who uses a cane and another with a prosthetic leg. There's also a doll with vitiligo, a condition in which skin loses its pigment and becomes splotchy. 'We know that increasing the number of people who can see themselves in Barbie continues to resonate,' said Devin Duff, a spokesperson for Mattel, in an email to CNN. The company said the blind Barbie and a doll with Down syndrome were among the most popular Fashionista dolls globally in 2024. The company launched its first doll with a disability — a friend for Barbie called Share-a-smile Becky, who used a wheelchair — in 1997. Customers noted at the time that Becky's wheelchair couldn't fit through the doors of the Barbie Dream House, a situation many people with disabilities encounter in real life. That insight is part of the value of having kids play with dolls that have disabilities, said Dr. Sian Jones, co-founder of the Toy Box Diversity Lab at Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh, Scotland. Jones and her colleague Dr. Clare Uytman study how playing with dolls and toys with a range of physical challenges can reduce systemic inequality for disabled people. It's based on a theory of mirrors and windows by Rudine Sims Bishop, a professor emerita of education at Ohio State University. Bishop realized that having diverse characters in books was good for all kids: It helps children from minority groups see themselves mirrored in the lives of book characters, and it gives kids a window into the lives of others, helping them build empathy. Jones says that when kids play with dolls that have mobility challenges, for example, it helps them identify and understand the struggles of people with disabilities whom they meet in real life. 'Barbie in a wheelchair cannot use the doll's house in their kindergarten classroom, so they have to build a ramp in order for her to be able to access the door to their doll's house, for example,' said Jones, who lives with cerebral palsy. When she started her work incorporating disabled dolls into school curricula, Jones said, there were few available for purchase. She mostly had to make them herself. Now, she can buy them from big companies like Lego and Mattel, 'which is wonderful.' Mazreku says the work to design the doll was well worth it. She recently got to bring one home to give to her 3-year-old daughter. 'I brought Barbie home to her and gave her a chance to interact with her and see her things,' Mazreku said. 'And she looked at me and she said, 'She looks like Mommy.' And that was so special for me.' Her daughter doesn't have type 1 diabetes, she said. 'But she sees me every day, living with it, representing and understanding and showing the world and wearing my devices confidently, and for her to see Barbie doing that was really special.'
