Clinical research is critical for the advancement of technology, medications, and management strategies.
Every study helps scientists and clinicians understand what works and what doesn’t. When young adults aren’t included, new treatments, technologies, and behavioral interventions may not reflect real-world experiences — like using diabetes tech while juggling classes, work, and a social life.
These are formative years, where college students and young adults are learning to manage diabetes on their own and establishing their own way of caring for themselves. As a Lancet editorial put it, “The launch into independent adulthood may be thought of as akin to early childhood — a ‘blank slate’ opportunity on which new adults establish new habits, behaviors, and communities they will carry forward throughout their adult lives.” (source: Lancet)
Sometimes, results between child and adult studies don’t align because young adults weren’t studied as in depth. For example, the Lancet editorial noted that studies on metformin for diabetes prevention found it effective for adults under 60, but not for youth. Yet none of the trials included people ages 19–25 — leaving a major gap in understanding.
When diverse young adults participate — across race, gender, income, and background — research becomes more inclusive and its findings more applicable to everyone, not just the small group that’s historically represented. Evidence-based recommendations truly are based on evidence, not just conjecture.
We know diabetes management isn’t “one size fits all,” yet much of diabetes research still centers on a narrow slice of PWDs. Certain groups — like pregnant people or those in a specific age range — might be excluded entirely. Others face barriers such as materials available only in English, lack of outreach, or inaccessible research centers.
Systemic issues like mistrust of the medical system, racism, socioeconomic disparities, implicit bias, and lack of culturally competent care have all contributed to underrepresentation in clinical trials.
A recent meta-analysis found that over the past 20 years, only 24% of participants in type 2 diabetes trials were BIPOC, and 85% of participants in type 1 diabetes technology trials were non-Hispanic white PWDs.
(Source: diaTribe)
With added attention to the need for diversity and cultural inclusion in scientific research, more emphasis is being placed on strategies to support diverse study recruitment such as:
Even when people want to participate, obstacles can make it hard:
There are many ways to advocate for more inclusive, culturally competent diabetes research — and one of the most powerful is to get involved in research whenever you can.
Even with these aforementioned challenges, there are accessible ways to make your voice count in research:
If more college students and young adults participate in diabetes research, then our care becomes more real, relevant, and equitable. Even though participation can take effort, your voice drives progress for every PWD. You could help bring about the next treatment breakthrough, FDA approval, or revolutionary diabetes management strategy!