Improving outcomes for diverse children and young people with diabetes
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Diversity in Diabetes: Improving outcomes for children and young people with diabetes from diverse backgrounds.
IRAS ID
310641
Contact name
Timothy Barrett
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 31 days
Research summary
Diabetes causes high blood sugar levels, leading to eye and kidney damage if not well looked after. We know that better sugar control reduces the risk of future damage.
When we compare diverse groups of children, we find differences in blood sugar control. Children with diabetes who are Black or of ethnic minority heritage, and those who are living in more deprived places, on average have poorer blood sugar control and outcomes. This means they also have an increased risk of severe complications compared to children with diabetes who are white or are living in less deprived places. We don't know why there are these differences in blood sugar control.
Researchers have tried to reduce health inequalities through community, mental health, financial and housing support. They have encouraged more exercise, healthy eating, and carbohydrate counting skills. However, there are still differences in blood sugar control outcomes between children from diverse backgrounds. Our research seeks to understand the reasons for these differences in blood glucose control outcomes.
Our research will ask questions about a range of issues, such as: language, diabetes treatment, technological devices, support, feelings, income, experiences of prejudice, living environments and food. Importantly, we will ask children and young people with diabetes and their families who are Black or of minority ethnic heritage, or living in more deprived places, how these issues affect them.
The research project aims to find ways to make diabetes management easier and more successful by working with children, young people, their families, and diabetes health and support workers to develop a new action plan to help improve diabetes management for children and young people with diabetes from diverse backgrounds. This action plan will be developed so that it can be tested in a trial, to see if it can lead to better sugar control outcomes.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/YH/0140
Date of REC Opinion
25 Aug 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion