Celebrating the Past, Looking Toward the Future This Diabetes Awareness Month

(BPT) - November is Diabetes Awareness Month — a time for us to reflect not only on how far diagnosis and treatment have advanced since the discovery of insulin just 100 years ago, but also on where opportunities still lie to expand access to advanced technology.

As the leading global healthcare technology company, Medtronic boldly confronts the most challenging health problems facing humanity by engineering solutions that strengthen, lengthen and save lives. Diabetes management has evolved from a death sentence just 100 years ago, to glass syringes and backpack pumps, to the smart insulin pens and advanced integrated pump systems available today. Medtronic has pioneered many of these advancements and now more than ever remains committed to transforming diabetes care and serving as a true care partner for anyone managing their insulin delivery.

There have been countless inventions over the last century that have made a difference for the 463 million people worldwide living with diabetes. In 1922, a 14-year-old boy was dying from unregulated diabetes until he received the first-ever insulin injection, and his high blood glucose levels dropped to near-normal levels within 24 hours.

Today, individuals diagnosed with diabetes face a much different, and more promising, future. Terry was first diagnosed with type 1 diabetes 48 years ago. At first, he struggled to learn about treatment options and experienced fluctuations in his blood sugar levels. That was the case until he started using a MiniMed™ insulin pump, which offered a reliable, easy-to-understand way to take control of his diabetes.

Since starting with the pump 25 years ago, Terry hasn’t needed to seek treatment for a single diabetes-related condition. He now serves as a Medtronic Diabetes ambassador and helps other patients learn about the technology options available and whether they may be a good fit for their own management.

This Diabetes Awareness Month, we celebrate where we have been and the opportunity we still have ahead of us as a diabetes community to expand access to these life-changing and life-saving technologies.

Medtronic is working to address health disparities for people living with diabetes. Learn more about the work they are leading to help reduce inequities in the use of diabetes technology and the programs they offer through the Medtronic Access Programs to help support qualifying individuals who are interested in these advancements.

Important Safety Information for Insulin Infusion Pumps:

Medtronic Diabetes insulin infusion pumps, pens, continuous glucose monitoring systems and associated components are limited to sale by or on the order of a physician and should only be used under the direction of a healthcare professional familiar with the risks associated with the use of these systems. Successful operation of insulin infusion pumps require adequate vision and hearing to recognize alerts and alarms. Rx required. Please visit www.medtronicdiabets.com/about/safety.html for additional details.