Australian T1D Survey: CGM & Pumps Boost Well-Being But Cost Hurts

A study from Australia surveyed more than 3,300 adults living with Type 1 diabetes (T1D) to understand how they really feel about insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) — and what's stopping them from using these tools to their full potential. The findings, published in Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice (2023), offer a powerful, community-driven look at the everyday realities of advanced diabetes technology.

What the Researchers Did

Researchers at Diabetes Victoria, based in Carlton, Victoria, Australia, designed a 30-question online survey covering device design, access, education, outcomes, and emotional support. Between November 2021 and January 2022, 3,380 participants completed the survey. The average participant was 45 years old, had lived with T1D for about 20 years, and 62% were female. Among respondents, 55% had experience with insulin pump therapy (IPT), 82% with real-time CGM (RT-CGM), and 55% with intermittently scanned CGM (isCGM, such as FreeStyle Libre).

Key Findings

• Nearly universal support for technology: A striking 98% of participants rated diabetes technology as "extremely important" or "important" for maintaining target glucose levels — roughly 70–180 mg/dL (3.9–10.0 mmol/L), which aligns closely with American Diabetes Association (ADA) guidelines for Time in Range targets.
• Hypoglycemia relief: 93% said technology helped reduce the severity and frequency of low blood sugar episodes (defined as below 70 mg/dL, or 3.9 mmol/L in Australian and US guidelines alike).
• Emotional well-being benefits: Most users reported a positive emotional impact — 89% for insulin pumps, 91% for real-time CGM, and 87% for intermittent-scan CGM. This benefit was strongly linked to how effective, comfortable, and convenient participants found their devices.
• Affordability is the biggest barrier: 68% of insulin pump users, 81% of RT-CGM users, and 69% of isCGM users cited cost as a significant obstacle.
• Information gaps persist: Roughly 36–41% of users said they didn't have enough information to choose the right device for their needs.

Why This Matters for US Patients

Australia's healthcare system subsidizes some diabetes technology through its National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS), yet cost still emerged as the number-one barrier for the majority of users — a finding that resonates deeply in the United States, where insurance coverage for CGMs and insulin pumps varies widely and out-of-pocket expenses can be substantial.

The ADA recommends CGM use for all people with T1D on intensive insulin therapy, and endorses a Time in Range target of greater than 70% of readings between 70–180 mg/dL. This Australian data powerfully reinforces that patients themselves recognize this technology as essential — not optional — for meeting those goals and protecting their mental health. If barriers like cost and education gaps exist even in a subsidized system, US patients and advocates have a compelling international precedent for pushing insurers and policymakers toward broader, more equitable access.

The emotional well-being dimension is equally important. Diabetes distress and burnout are well-documented in the US T1D community, and this large-scale survey confirms that the right technology — when accessible and well-supported — meaningfully improves quality of life, not just lab numbers.

Bottom Line

People living with T1D around the world share the same message: CGMs and insulin pumps are game-changers for glucose control and emotional health. The barriers holding patients back — cost and lack of information — are fixable. This Australian evidence adds important global weight to the case for better access in the US.

Source: Read, Henshaw, Zaharieva. "Empowering Us": A community-led survey of real-world perspectives of adults with type 1 diabetes using insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitoring to manage their glucose levels. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, 2023. PMID: 37451626. DOI: 10.1016/j.diabres.2023.110830