To mark World Diabetes Day on 14 November 2023, The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology is launching an initiative to stimulate research into inequalities in access to treatment for type 1 diabetes. The Commission has as its aim to provide the global health community, national policy makers, local diabetes key opinion leaders and clinicians, diabetes associations and advocates, as well as funders, with a clear road map for the future related to Type 1 Diabetes.

Despite a century of lessons learned in the provision of type 1 diabetes care, a more comprehensive and person centred global plan is still needed to address both the societal and health system needs for people with type 1 diabetes across different life periods, to address existing and future inequities, and to ensure that innovation continues to improve the lives of people with type 1 diabetes globally.

Access to insulin remains highly unequal

This approach needs to provide the global health community, national policy makers, local diabetes key opinion leaders and clinicians, diabetes associations and advocates, as well as funders, a clear road map for the future. With this in mind, a Commission on type 1 diabetes was launched.