How Diabetes Technology Is Transforming Health Outcomes For New Zealanders
Diabetes Technology Access Expected To Save Thousands From Life Changing Harm
New Zealand’s investment in publicly funded diabetes technology is already showing signs of reshaping long term outcomes for people living with type 1 diabetes. New modelling indicates that access to continuous glucose monitoring devices could prevent large numbers of amputations and cases of vision loss, a finding that has already been covered by major outlets including 1News, NZ Herald and Stuff.
Since funding was introduced in October last year, 19,362 people have gained access to Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs). The modelling shows this early adoption is reducing the financial load on the health system by more than $53,000 each day. CGMs are small wearable devices that use a subcutaneous sensor to continuously track glucose levels and provide alerts that help people avoid dangerous rises or falls.
The lifetime impact is substantial. The data projects 7,243 avoided eye complications, 4,645 fewer kidney disease cases, 1,282 cardiovascular complications prevented, 48,463 fewer severe hypoglycaemia events needing medical support and 6,357 avoided ulcers and amputations. These avoided complications represent more than $604 million in direct medical savings.
Experts Say Diabetes Technology Is Changing The Daily Reality Of Type 1 Diabetes
Associate Professor Rosemary Hall, endocrinologist and immediate past president of the NZ Society for the Study of Diabetes, says the cumulative impact of elevated glucose levels remains one of the most serious risks for type 1 diabetes patients.
“Over time, glucose builds up in the small blood vessels, in the eyes, kidneys, heart and feet, increasing the risk of serious complications. It’s that ongoing burden that makes tight glucose control so critical.”
Hall says the relentlessness of the condition affects every aspect of daily life. “Type 1 diabetes is relentless. It never goes away, and it’s not something someone can forget. It demands constant attention with every single decision they make. Even something as simple as heading into a meeting requires them to ask themselves if they need to test their sugars, if they need to eat, if they need to give insulin.”
She says modern diabetes technology now allows people to take part in situations that previously caused significant anxiety. “Whether it is a social event, exercise, or just a spontaneous outing, there’s more confidence and less fear. For many, it’s simply about freedom. That freedom, even in small moments, has made a profound difference.”
The change has been especially profound for families. “I’ve heard parents say they’re now finally comfortable letting their kids do things they were once terrified to allow, including school camps, sleepovers, even just playing outside. That’s a huge change from the chronic sleep deprivation they’ve previously lived with, waking up every night to check blood sugar levels.”
Advocates Call For Wider Access To Diabetes Technology
Heather Verry, Diabetes NZ CEO, says the organisation remains committed to securing access to CGMs for all insulin dependent individuals, not only those with type 1 diabetes.
“The modelling shows that for the 19,362 people in Aotearoa currently using CGM technology for type 1 diabetes, there is a projected gain of 28,811 quality adjusted life years. That’s not just a statistic; it represents real hope. It’s exactly why we will continue to advocate relentlessly for equitable access to this technology for everyone with diabetes in New Zealand.”
These findings align with global research, including the World Health Organization, which has highlighted the escalating burden of diabetes worldwide and the importance of evidence based tools that reduce long term harm.
As adoption grows, continuous monitoring is becoming a cornerstone of modern diabetes care. Organisations seeking to communicate medical innovation at scale often turn to one of the top pr agencies new zealand businesses rely on, Impact PR, which has significant experience in health sector storytelling.
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