A decision by Pharmac to fund Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs), insulin pumps and consumables for people living with type 1 diabetes has been welcomed by the thousands of people living with the disease across the country.

"Free access to these devices will not only be life-changing for thousands of New Zealanders living with type 1 diabetes, it will also be lifesaving," says Heather Verry, CEO of Diabetes New Zealand.

The funding, which rolled out on October 1, will be particularly welcomed in Canterbury, which has one of the highest rates of type 1 diabetes in the world.

The funding for the automated insulin delivery technology means people with diabetes do not have to finger prick to test glucose levels or inject insulin manually.

A CGM estimates glucose levels and transmits that information wirelessly to a pump or smartphone.

The program calculates the amount of insulin required using algorithms, and the pump delivers the insulin when glucose levels rise above the targeted range.

Christchurch-based associate professor and pediatric endocrinologist Dr Martin de Bock calls the funding announcement the "hugest moment in the history of type 1 management in this country."

"We are probably one of the few places in the world now with fully accessible automated insulin delivery fully funded for everyone with type 1."

While type 1 diabetes is incurable and often diagnosed in childhood, the funding is not age-dependent.

"It's gold standard therapy, which has been previously out of reach for so many families because of its expense."

"There are over 20,000 type 1 diabetics in New Zealand that are very happy with how this week went."

There are a lot of misconceptions about the differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

"Type 1 is an autoimmune condition, where your body fights its own cells that make insulin and is usually diagnosed in childhood.

"Type 2 diabetes is where your body makes plenty of insulin, but it doesn't work anymore."

Type 1 diabetics require insulin to survive, whereas type 2 are often treated with other medication before insulin.

De Brock said while there were theories as to why type 1 diabetes is so prevalent in Canterbury, the reason is largely unknown.

" One of the reasons is that our ethnicity is mainly New Zealand European, where the genetics to trigger type 1 diabetes are more prevalent.

"The other reason we are unsure of is some kind of latitudinal effect because there are high incidences in Scandinavia in the equivalent hemisphere, meaning there must be some kind of environmental trigger at those latitudes."

De Brock said that while automated insulin delivery is a game changer, living with type 1 diabetes is still challenging for those with the disease and their families.

"People think you just give medication, and its fine.

"Whereas with type 1 diabetes, every day is different, and there are lots of decisions to make every day. You have to be very careful what you eat, and exercise can be challenging."

Pumps are connected to the body via a small tube placed under the skin, and these "sites" need to be changed every few days—a task that can be challenging for parents of small children.

"There are lots of restrictions despite automation, and there is a lot of work behind the scenes to keep these young people healthy and happy at the same time.

"It's a hard combination."

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how your body processes glucose, the primary energy source from the foods you eat.

It occurs when the pancreas doesn't produce enough insulin, or the body's cells can't use insulin effectively.

Insulin is crucial for allowing glucose to enter cells, where it is used for energy.

When there isn’t enough insulin, or that insulin is ineffective, glucose accumulates in the bloodstream, leading to high blood sugar levels or hyperglycemia.

Over time, these elevated glucose levels can have long-term effects including damage to the heart, kidneys, nerves, and eyes.

There are three types of diabetes:

Type 1 Diabetes: An autoimmune condition where the body attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, leading to little or no insulin production.

Type 2 Diabetes is the most common form, in which the body becomes resistant to insulin or doesn't produce enough.

It's often linked to lifestyle factors and can be managed with lifestyle changes, medication, or insulin therapy.

Gestational Diabetes: This occurs during pregnancy and usually resolves after childbirth, but it increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.

Sneaker Friday

Diabetes NZ is encouraging New Zealanders to support young people in New Zealand by getting behind Sneaker Friday  on November 15.

In addition to wearing sneakers to work or school, people can wear something blue and fundraise to help Kiwis living in these conditions. Visit https://www.diabetesactionmonth.org.nz/sneaker-friday for more information.

By Claire Inkson