Social Disadvantage Limits Access to Diabetes Tech in Canada

What This Study Found

Researchers in Quebec, Canada studied nearly 2,400 adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) to understand whether factors like income, race, education, and insurance type affect access to two important diabetes technologies: insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs).

Key Numbers

• Only 37.4% of participants used an insulin pump
• 82.5% used a CGM
• Both devices were linked to lower HbA1c (better long-term blood sugar control)

Who Was Less Likely to Use These Technologies?

Insulin pumps were used less by people who:

• Earned less than $80,000 per year
• Did not have a post-secondary (college/university) education
• Identified as non-White
• Had public (government) insurance rather than private insurance

CGMs were used less by people who:

• Earned less than $80,000 per year
• Had public insurance

Why the Difference Between Pumps and CGMs?

In Quebec, the government funds CGMs publicly but does not fund insulin pumps. This likely explains why the gap in CGM use is smaller — public funding helps more people access CGMs regardless of income. However, insulin pumps remain out of reach for many due to high out-of-pocket costs.

What Does This Mean for You?

The more social disadvantages a person faces, the less likely they are to be using these life-improving technologies. Researchers stress that broader strategies are needed to ensure everyone with T1D — regardless of background or income — can benefit from modern diabetes tools like automated insulin delivery systems.

Bottom Line

Access to diabetes technology in Canada is not equal. While public funding for CGMs is a positive step, more support is needed — especially for insulin pumps — to reduce health inequalities for people living with type 1 diabetes.