Exploring inequities in access to diabetes technologies among children and young people with type 1 diabetes: Perspectives of parents and young people from ethnic minority groups and low socio-economic areas

AIMS: Access to diabetes technology in the UK is significantly influenced by socio-economic status, ethnicity, and systemic healthcare inequities. This study investigates barriers faced by children and young people (CYP) from ethnic minority backgrounds and/or low socio-economic areas in accessing diabetes technologies, alongside strategies for equitable improvements.

METHODS: Online semi-structured interviews were conducted across the UK with parents and caregivers of CYP (aged 2-17 years) with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) and young people (aged 14-17 years) from ethnic minority groups and low socio-economic areas. Participants were recruited via purposive sampling. Interviews were transcribed, coded, and analysed using a thematic reflexive analysis in QSR NVivo12.

RESULTS: Thirty-two participants were included in the study. Of these, 27 triad interviews were completed involving parents and CYP, along with an additional five triad interviews led by young people. The majority of parents and CYP identified as being from Black African ethnic minority groups (72%), 13% were from Other Black ethnic groups, and a smaller proportion were from Asian minority groups, (8%) and Other ethnic minority groups (6%). Key themes included barriers to accessibility (e.g., financial, linguistic, and geographic challenges), variability in education and service provision, intersectional barriers (e.g., race and socio-economic status), and the need for improved communication and trust with healthcare professionals. The findings highlight the persistent inequities in diabetes technology access among underserved groups.

CONCLUSION: Barriers to diabetes technology access for CYP from ethnic minority backgrounds and low socio-economic areas stem from an interplay of systemic inequities, cultural and linguistic challenges, and financial constraints. This study highlights the need for systemic reforms, including culturally tailored and standardised education programmes alongside equitable resource distribution, to address these barriers.