November 1, 2025

November 1st marks the beginning of Diabetes Awareness Month, a nationally recognized movement to spread awareness of a disease that affects millions of people throughout the world. Although this month extends to both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, the JDCA takes this time to focus on T1D specifically.

The burden of T1D is immense—carried night and day like Atlas bearing the world. It cannot be prevented or reversed. The burden placed on families never stops and extracts an extraordinary emotional toll that cannot be overstated. The burden placed on society in healthcare costs and lost lives is rising.

This Diabetes Awareness Month, take the time to support and uplift your fellow community members.

Spread awareness of this disease. Fight for a T1D Practical Cure so the burden is lifted—for good.
 

The Global Burden

The infographic above summarizes key information in the growing global burden of T1D.
 

Prevalence

Approximately 9.5 million people worldwide are living with T1D.

The T1D population is estimated to grow at a rate of 5.3% annually, compared to the general population growth rate of 1.1%. Over half a million people have been diagnosed with T1D this year alone.
 

Too Many Lives Cut Short

This far into 2025, 174,000 people have died as a direct result of T1D. It is estimated that nine ‘healthy’ years are lost due to diabetic complications.
 

Access Is Far from Equal

Access to care in some parts of the world—insulin, test strips, a diagnosis—is limited, and the disease is still considered a death sentence. This is a human problem. The most extreme cases are in sub-Saharan Africa, where an average of forty-six years is lost to the disease.
 

The Only Solution Is a Practical Cure

A Practical Cure is the only solution to alleviating the T1D burden for good. Management technology tips the balance of the daily burden, but is not freedom from it. No one should be woken up in the middle of the night by a CGM beeping, or fear not waking up at all. No one should have to face a list of possible complications that seems to grow longer with every doctor’s visit. No one should die from this disease.

This Diabetes Awareness Month, advocate for a T1D Practical Cure, so the burden never needs to be carried again.