A stark new study has revealed significant ethnic inequalities in access to life-changing diabetes technology across England. The research found that people from black and south Asian backgrounds are far less likely to be prescribed continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), despite being at a higher risk of developing the condition.
Concerning Prescribing Disparities Exposed
The analysis, published in the journal Diabetic Medicine, is the first national study in England to use robust prescribing data to demonstrate these gaps. It shows clear disparities in CGM access for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes patients.
People from ethnic minority backgrounds constituted 17.5% of the population in areas with lower-than-average CGM prescribing rates in 2024. In stark contrast, they made up just 5.3% of the population in regions with higher-than-average prescribing rates.
A Higher Risk, Yet Lower Access
This inequality is particularly alarming given the higher prevalence of diabetes in these communities. Across the UK, approximately 5.8 million people live with diabetes. Individuals from black and south Asian backgrounds face a notably elevated risk of developing type 2 diabetes by the age of 25.
CGMs are small wearable devices that automatically track blood glucose levels, removing the need for frequent, painful finger-prick tests. They are crucial for effective diabetes management and are recommended for all adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes under National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) guidelines.
Systemic Barriers and a Call for Change
Lead author Professor Samuel Seidu from the University of Leicester stated the findings were "concerning" though "not entirely surprising," citing similar international patterns. He highlighted that ethnicity and deprivation together account for up to 77% of the variance in CGM prescribing for type 2 diabetes, pointing to deeply embedded structural inequities.
Anthony Walker, policy lead at Diabetes UK, said the research laid bare "the very real inequities" in accessing transformative tech. He called for consistent implementation of Nice guidelines and targeted interventions to raise awareness and close the access gap.
Diabetes advocate Daniel Newman, who has type 1 diabetes, shared his personal struggle to access a CGM, stating: "Access to CGMs should be based on clinical need, not determined by postcode, ethnicity or income."
The findings follow previous Guardian reporting which found that cost barriers, such as the need for a smartphone to operate some devices, further exclude people from deprived backgrounds. NHS England has been approached for comment on the study's conclusions.
