Co-design of an animated resource to understand inequities in access to diabetes technologies among children and young people with type 1 diabetes from ethnic minority groups and/or low socioeconomic areas

Published Date: 10th May 2026

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Aims
This study aimed to explore barriers to diabetes technology access and co-create an educational animation to address them.
Methods
Guided by a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach and the Generative Co-Design Framework for Healthcare Innovation, the study followed three stages: Pre-Design, Co-Design, and Post-Design. It built on prior qualitative research and was shaped by input from an advisory panel. Co-design workshops informed the animation's content and style. A total of 16 participants were involved: 6 (2 parents, 4 young people) contributed to advisory sessions, and 10 (5 parents, 5 children and young people) participated in co-design workshops. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.
Results
Key barriers included misconceptions about cost, limited awareness of NHS-funded technologies, and emotional and financial burdens. Participants emphasised the importance of diverse representation, accessible language, and engaging visuals to ensure the animation resonated with a wide audience, including healthcare professionals, families, educators, and policymakers. Post-design evaluation confirmed its usability.
Conclusions
Guided by collaborative principles, the co-designed animation is a valuable tool for raising awareness and promoting equitable access to diabetes technology. Future research should explore broader implementation and standardisation of such educational tools across NHS services.

Tonga, E.; Ng, S.M. et al. (2026). Co-design of an animated resource to understand inequities in access to diabetes technologies among children and young people with type 1 diabetes from ethnic minority groups and/or low socioeconomic areas. Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome: Clinical Research & Reviews. 20(5), p.103432. [Online]. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsx.2026.103432 [Accessed 21 May 2026].