Type 1 Diabetes and Diabetes Awareness Month

Type 1 Diabetes and Diabetes Awareness Month 2026

 

Type 1 Diabetes and Diabetes Awareness Month 2026: Facts, History and Ways to Get Involved

Every November, diabetes organisations, clinics and families use Diabetes Awareness Month to talk about this condition, which affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide . Most of that conversation covers diabetes as a whole. However, this blog focuses on type 1 diabetes: what it is, how many people live with it, the warning signs everyone should know, and practical ways to get involved this November.

Diabetes Awareness Month and T1Day: What Happens in November

November is Diabetes Awareness Month, a month-long focus on all types of diabetes. The type 1 community opens the month with T1Day on 1 November, and World Diabetes Day follows on 14 November.

In the United States, presidential proclamations have named November National Diabetes Month since 1982 , and the National Institutes of Health still marks it under that name . The American Diabetes Association calls it American Diabetes Month . Whatever the name, it is the same November observance.

T1Day is the type 1 moment within the month. Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF) marks it on 1 November to raise awareness of type 1 diabetes and the need for research .

World Diabetes Day falls on 14 November, the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, who co-discovered insulin with Charles Best. The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the World Health Organisation created the day in 1991 , and the IDF leads it today . In this year, 2026, the theme is “Early Action on Diabetes”, with a focus on diagnosing diabetes early [8].

The day’s logo, the blue circle, now the global symbol of diabetes awareness ], was introduced by the IDF in 2006. It was first created for the IDF’s campaign for a UN resolution on diabetes . The UN General Assembly passed that resolution, Resolution 61/225, on 20 December 2006, and the first United Nations World Diabetes Day was marked on 14 November 2007 .

Raising awareness of type 1 diabetes matters. It corrects misconceptions, and it helps people recognise the early signs.

What Is Type 1 Diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition. The immune system mistakenly attacks the cells in the pancreas that make insulin , the hormone that moves glucose from the blood into the body’s cells. Without enough insulin, glucose builds up in the blood and the body cannot use it for energy.

People with type 1 need insulin to live, given through injections or an insulin pump . There is currently no way to prevent or cure type 1, although since 2022 a treatment has been approved in the US that can delay its onset in some people at high risk.

Type 2 diabetes works differently. The body does not use insulin properly, which is called insulin resistance, and over time the pancreas cannot make enough insulin to keep glucose levels normal. Type 2 is most common in middle-aged and older adults, and it is usually managed with an eating plan, physical activity and medication, which may include insulin . Lifestyle typically plays a bigger part in type 2: being overweight or physically inactive raises the risk . Type 1 is different. It is an autoimmune disease, not the result of diet or lifestyle.

Common Misconceptions About Type 1 Diabetes

• It isn’t caused by eating sugar. This is one of the most common misconceptions about type 1. It is an autoimmune disease, and it cannot currently be prevented , so it is not the result of anything a person or their parents did.

• It isn’t only a childhood condition. Type 1 can develop at any age . In 2025, fewer than half of new type 1 diagnoses worldwide were in people under 20, and the median age of people living with type 1 was 36 

• It doesn’t go away. Soon after diagnosis, some people go through a “honeymoon” period when their body still makes enough insulin to bring glucose levels down. It can last from about a week to a year, and it does not mean diabetes has gone 

Type 1 Diabetes by the Numbers

The latest global estimates come from the IDF Diabetes Atlas, 11th edition, and the T1D Index 

• 9.5 million people were living with type 1 diabetes worldwide in 2025, including about 1.9 million under the age of 20.

• About 513,000 people were newly diagnosed in 2025.

• 43% of those new diagnoses were in people under 20, which means most new cases are in adults.

• About 174,000 people died in 2025 because of type 1 diabetes. Around 30,000 of them had never been diagnosed.

• The number of people living with type 1 is projected to reach 14.7 million by 2040.

Know the Signs: Why Early Diagnosis Matters

The main symptoms of type 1 diabetes are 

• Needing to urinate more than usual, especially at night

• Feeling very thirsty

• Feeling very tired

• Losing weight without trying

Less common signs include blurred vision, sweet or fruity-smelling breath, cuts that are slow to heal, and frequent infections. Children may have heavier nappies or start wetting the bed. Symptoms usually develop quickly, over a few days or weeks , so they can easily be mistaken for something minor.

If type 1 is not diagnosed in time, it can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a life-threatening emergency. Warning signs include vomiting, stomach pain, drowsiness or confusion, and fast, deep breathing , and they can come on quickly, sometimes within 24 hours . In a study of children diagnosed with type 1 in 13 countries, about 3 in 10 were already in DKA at diagnosis . Early detection can prevent DKA, which is why the IDF has made early action the focus of World Diabetes Day 2026 .

If you think you or your child might have type 1 diabetes, get an urgent appointment with a doctor. If symptoms are getting worse quickly, or include any of the DKA warning signs above, seek emergency care.

Screening for Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes develops in stages, before any symptoms appear. In stage 1, the blood contains two or more diabetes-related autoantibodies, but glucose levels are normal and there are no symptoms. In stage 2, glucose levels have become abnormal, still without symptoms. In stage 3, the common symptoms of type 1 appear , and this is usually when it is diagnosed.

A blood test for autoantibodies can find type 1 at these early stages. Relatives of people with type 1 are about 15 times more likely to develop it than the general population, and programmes such as TrialNet offer free screening to eligible family members . Since 2024, international consensus guidance has set out how doctors should monitor people found at the early stages .

Monitoring after screening can significantly reduce the chance of DKA at diagnosis . It can also open up treatment options: in November 2022, the US Food and Drug Administration approved the first treatment that can delay the onset of stage 3 type 1 diabetes, for people aged 8 and over who are at stage 2 .

Living with Type 1 Diabetes Today

Managing type 1 means checking glucose, counting carbohydrates, dosing insulin, and adjusting for exercise, illness, stress and sleep. The decisions add up over the course of a day.

Medtrum Technology has changed what that looks like:

• Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) use a small sensor under the skin to estimate glucose every few minutes, and can sound an alarm when glucose is too high or too low .

• Insulin pumps deliver insulin continuously. Tubeless patch pumps are worn directly on the skin, with no tubing.

• Automated insulin delivery systems, also called hybrid closed-loop systems, link a pump and a CGM so the system can increase insulin when glucose rises above target, and reduce or stop it when glucose falls below .

Companies such as Medtrum now make tubeless patch pumps that can work with a CGM as an automated insulin delivery system.

Medtrum tools take away some of the burden, but not all of it. Sensors and pumps still need changing, alerts still need answering, and meals still need planning. Understanding from the people around someone with type 1 makes that easier.

How You Can Get Involved This November

Key Dates in November 2026

• 1 November: T1Day. The type 1 community’s day within Diabetes Awareness Month .

• 14 November: World Diabetes Day. This year’s theme is “Early Action on Diabetes” .

• All month: walks, fundraisers and local events organised by diabetes charities and community groups.

Ways to Take Part

• Learn the signs and share them. Knowing the symptoms of type 1 and DKA is the single most useful thing you can do.

• Wear blue on 14 November, or share the blue circle on social media.

• Join a walk, fundraiser or local event near you.

• Donate to type 1 research.

• Support someone with type 1. Small things make a real difference:

• Family and friends: learn the signs of low glucose, such as sweating, shakiness, irritability and confusion. If the person can swallow safely, low glucose is usually treated with fast-acting carbohydrate, such as juice or glucose tablets . Follow their care plan and know where they keep theirs. If they cannot swallow, don’t put food or drink in their mouth. Give them glucagon (nasal or injection) if it’s available and you know how to use it, and call emergency services straight away.

• Teachers: know the student’s care plan, and make it easy for them to eat a snack, check their phone or CGM, or leave the classroom when they need to.

• Colleagues: treat a glucose check or a device alarm in a meeting as routine. It is part of managing a medical condition.

Resources and Support

If you or someone close to you is living with type 1, these organisations offer reliable information and support:

• American Diabetes Association: guidance on all types of diabetes, including resources for people who are newly diagnosed.

• Breakthrough T1D: type 1 research funding, local chapters and support for families.

• Beyond Type 1: practical guides and an online community for people with type 1 and their families.

• International Diabetes Federation: global information and the organiser of World Diabetes Day.

• TrialNet: screening for relatives of people with type 1, and research studies.

Feeling worn down by daily management is common, and it has a name: diabetes distress. About 1 in 4 people with type 1 report severe diabetes distress . If it is affecting you or someone you care for, mention it to the diabetes care team, who can help or refer you to further support.

Awareness Beyond November

Type 1 diabetes doesn’t stop when November ends, and neither should awareness. Before the month is over, take a minute to go over the warning signs with your family, or share them with a friend whose child has been unusually thirsty or tired lately.

References

1. International Diabetes Federation. IDF Diabetes Atlas, 11th edition: Global factsheet. 2025. https://media.idf.org/media/uploads/sites/3/2025/04/IDF_Atlas_11th_Edition_2025_Global-Factsheet.pdf

1. Reagan R. Proclamation 4994: National Diabetes Month, 1982. 2 November 1982. The American Presidency Project. https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/proclamation-4994-national-diabetes-month-1982

1. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). National Diabetes Month. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/community-health-outreach/national-diabetes-month

1. American Diabetes Association. American Diabetes Month: We Fight for You. Press release, 29 October 2024. https://diabetes.org/newsroom/press-releases/american-diabetes-month-we-fight-you

1. Breakthrough T1D. Breakthrough T1D Commemorates National Diabetes Awareness Month and T1Day this November. Press release. https://www.breakthrought1d.org/for-the-media/press-releases/jdrf-national-diabetes-awareness-month/

1. International Diabetes Federation. About World Diabetes Day. https://worlddiabetesday.org/about-wdd/

1. Keeling A. International Diabetes Federation: the global voice for diabetes. touchENDOCRINOLOGY. 2011. https://touchendocrinology.com/diabetes/journal-articles/international-diabetes-federation-the-global-voice-for-diabetes-2/

1. International Diabetes Federation. World Diabetes Day 2026-27: Early action on diabetes. https://idf.org/news-and-resources/news/wdd-2026-27/

1. International Diabetes Federation. Diabetes awareness activities. https://idf.org/what-we-do/diabetes-awareness-activities/

1. Das T, Rani PK, Sivaprasad S, Raman R. The blue circle and 100 years of insulin discovery. Indian Journal of Ophthalmology. 2021;69(11):2920-2924. doi:10.4103/ijo.IJO_1090_21. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8725071/

1. Silink M. A United Nations Resolution on Diabetes: the result of a joint effort. US Endocrinology. 2007;(1):12-14. https://www.touchendocrinology.com/diabetes/journal-articles/a-united-nations-resolution-on-diabetes-the-result-of-a-joint-effort/

1. American Diabetes Association. Understanding Type 1 Diabetes. https://diabetes.org/about-diabetes/type-1

1. US Food and Drug Administration. FDA Approves First Drug That Can Delay Onset of Type 1 Diabetes. Press release, 17 November 2022. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-drug-can-delay-onset-type-1-diabetes

1. American Diabetes Association. Understanding Type 2 Diabetes. https://diabetes.org/about-diabetes/type-2

1. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/risk-factors-type-2-diabetes

1. Breakthrough T1D. Type 1 Diabetes Frequently Asked Questions. https://www.breakthrought1d.org/t1d-basics/faq/

1. Ogle GD, Wang F, Haynes A, et al. Global type 1 diabetes prevalence, incidence, and mortality estimates 2025: Results from the International Diabetes Federation Atlas, 11th Edition, and the T1D Index Version 3.0. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice. 2025;225:112277. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168822725002918

1. Breakthrough T1D. T1D Index: Global impact (2025 data). https://dashboard.t1dindex.org/global-impact

1. NHS. Type 1 diabetes: symptoms and how it’s diagnosed. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/type-1-diabetes/symptoms/

1. Mayo Clinic. Diabetic ketoacidosis: symptoms and causes. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetic-ketoacidosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20371551

1. Cherubini V, Grimsmann JM, Åkesson K, et al. Temporal trends in diabetic ketoacidosis at diagnosis of paediatric type 1 diabetes between 2006 and 2016: results from 13 countries in three continents. Diabetologia. 2020;63:1530-1541. 

1. Type 1 Diabetes TrialNet. Type 1 diabetes staging classification opens door for intervention. 2026. https://www.trialnet.org/events-news/blog/type-1-diabetes-staging-classification-opens-door-intervention

1. Type 1 Diabetes TrialNet. Pathway to Prevention: risk screening. https://www.trialnet.org/our-research/risk-screening

1. Breakthrough T1D. Landmark international consensus guidance provides a framework for clinicians to monitor those in early-stage type 1 diabetes. Press release, 24 June 2024. https://www.breakthrought1d.org/for-the-media/press-releases/landmark-international-consensus-guidance-provides-a-framework-for-clinicians-to-monitor-those-in-early-stage-type-1-diabetes/

1. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). Continuous Glucose Monitoring. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/managing-diabetes/continuous-glucose-monitoring

1. Breakthrough T1D. Hyperglycemia and Hypoglycemia: The Highs and Lows of T1D. https://www.breakthrought1d.org/news-and-updates/hyperglycemia-hypoglycemia/

1. American Diabetes Association. Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Glucose). Patient handout based on the ADA Standards of Care in Diabetes—2025. https://professional.diabetes.org/sites/dpro/files/2025-05/hypoglycemia-patient-5-27-25.pdf

1. NHS. Low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia). https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/low-blood-sugar-hypoglycaemia/

1. American Diabetes Association. Diabetes and Emotional Health, Chapter 3: Diabetes distress. https://professional.diabetes.org/sites/default/files/media/ada_mental_health_workbook_chapter_3.pdf

This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. If you have concerns about symptoms or diabetes management, speak to a healthcare professional.