A significant rise in demand for diabetes technology is anticipated in New Zealand, potentially increasing by as much as 400% in the next few years. However, the nation’s public healthcare system is struggling to keep up with the demand, according to University of Otago researcher, Professor Ben Wheeler.
Wheeler, who specializes in Women and Children’s Health, has been granted nearly $1.4 million to develop a model aimed at improving access to automated insulin delivery (AID) for those with type 1 diabetes. This research is part of a broader initiative funded by the Health Research Council, which awarded over $4.6 million to Otago researchers in its latest funding round.
Currently, type 1 diabetes affects around 25,000 people in New Zealand, with a disproportionate number of cases among Māori and Pacific communities. The disease can lead to a drastic reduction in life expectancy, particularly when diagnosed at a young age. Though the “gold standard” AID technology became more widely available in late 2024, only about 15-20% of individuals with type 1 diabetes are utilizing it.
Wheeler predicts that as Pharmac funding for AID expands, up to 70-80% of type 1 diabetes patients will need the technology in the near future—representing a fourfold increase in demand. However, the public health system is unprepared to meet this surge. With health workforce shortages, some regions have had to pause training programs, and only 500 to 1,000 people annually receive the necessary training, far below the 12,000 to 15,000 people who could benefit.
This disparity in access to diabetes care is creating significant inequities, particularly along ethnic, geographic, and socio-economic lines. To address these issues, Wheeler’s research focuses on expanding access through a model that offers remote training and support, removing the so-called “postcode lottery” where some regions are disadvantaged over others.
Wheeler hopes that his model will demonstrate how AID can be made more accessible, equitable, and scalable across New Zealand. Without the funding for this research, he says, such advancements in diabetes care would not be possible.
Alongside Wheeler’s project, other Otago researchers have also secured funding to tackle pressing health issues. Dr. Sarah McKenzie received over $170,000 for a study examining the barriers men face in accessing mental health care, while Paula O’Kane was awarded nearly $30,000 for a study on how older adults in New Zealand perceive aging in place.
As New Zealand’s healthcare system grapples with these challenges, the funding of such research offers hope for more equitable and effective care for vulnerable communities across the nation.
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