NEWS
T1 SUPPORT FOR GPS
New research surveys released by medical device company Abbott have
revealed the impact of childhood Type 1 diabetes (T1D) on the emotional
and mental health of children and their families in the UK. The research,
undertaken both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, sought to
examine the impact of T1D on the mental health of children and their families.
The first study, which spanned six countries including the UK, surveyed
parents, carers and their children before the pandemic, while the second
aimed to understand the effects of lockdown in this population. Before the
COVID-19 pandemic, this survey found that almost half (44%) of UK parents
and carers believe their child has issues with mental health due to their T1D
diagnosis. In addition, the research found half of UK parents and carers of
children with T1D reported that their child become more anxious following
their diagnosis.
In a more recent survey, conducted in October 2020, nearly half of
parents and carers reported that they think their child is more anxious as a
result of the pandemic. Around three quarters are also more worried about
their child's T1D due to fear of the virus. However, some respondents (33%)
reported that living with T1D helped their child cope better with lockdown
restrictions. Douglas Twenefour, deputy head of care at Diabetes UK
commented, "We know that diabetes is a relentless condition that can be
both a physical and mental challenge. The diagnosis and management of
Type 1 diabetes can be overwhelming for an adult during normal times, so
we can only imagine the additional pressures a child or adolescent currently
has to face during a global pandemic. That is why it is so important to talk
about how you feel and get professional support."
www.freestylelibre.co.uk
TIME IN RANGERS
Partly in response to this survey, Abbott has published
the first two in a series of fun, educational, and colourful
e-books designed as an aid for healthcare professionals
and carers to help them to introduce topics when
talking to young children who have diabetes. The stories
feature the characters Jumpy Grasshopper (Above
Target Ranger), Super Steady (In Target Ranger) and
Go Low Monster (Below Target Ranger) and include
games and quizzes. The resources are available as part
of Abbott's free online FreeStyle Libre Academy.
Supermarkets in England will be
banned from displaying unhealthy
food and drinks at checkouts or
using them in buy one, get one
free offers as part of a proposed
government crackdown on obesity.
Subject to consultation, checkout
restrictions will apply to other salesboosting
spots, such as store
entrances or the end of aisles. This
extends to websites, banning sales links to unhealthy
foods on homepages, or at checkout or payment
pages. In addition, restaurants will not be able to offer
free sugary drink refills. The rules around promotions
on bulk-buy offers on high-fat or high-sugar food and
drinks would only apply to larger retailers with 50 or
more employees. The limits on where unhealthy foods
can be located apply to shops over more than 2,000
sq feet, with exemptions for specialist retailers like
chocolate shops.
The restrictions are due to start April 2022.
CHECKOUTS
CHECKED OUT
A once-weekly basal insulin is in development to help treat Type 2 diabetes.
Researchers suggest that reducing the frequency of basal insulin injections
might help treatment acceptance and adherence among people with the
condition. The insulin icodec, by Novo Nordisk, shows comparable efficacy
and safety to once-daily insulin glargine U100 after a 26-week randomised
phase 2 trial involving 247 participants who had not previously received
long-term insulin treatment and whose Type 2 diabetes was inadequately
controlled. Results were published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
WEEKLY INSULIN FOR T2
This comic series based on Type 1 diabetes by
Revolve Comics in collaboration with diabetes
specialists from Portsmouth and Southampton and
people living with T1, spreads useful message by
using art to inform and educate. Type 1: S.T.I.G.M.A.
is the third issue. revolvecomics.com
COMIC CAPERS