Barbie Introduces First Doll with Type 1 Diabetes
Toy manufacturer **Mattel** has unveiled its first-ever Barbie doll representing an individual with Type 1 diabetes, marking a significant step toward greater inclusivity within its product line.
Collaborating for Authenticity
**Mattel** collaborated with Breakthrough T1D, previously known as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), an organization dedicated to Type 1 diabetes research and advocacy, to ensure the doll’s design authentically mirrored the lived experience of those with the condition. According to **Mattel**, this included accurately representing essential medical equipment.
The doll features a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) on her arm, which tracks blood sugar levels, along with a smartphone displaying the corresponding app. In addition, an insulin pump is attached to the doll’s waist, and she carries a blue purse to hold necessary supplies or snacks.
Visibility Matters
“Visibility matters for everyone facing Type 1 diabetes,”
said **Emily Mazreku**, director of marketing strategy at Breakthrough T1D. As a mother living with Type 1 diabetes, **Mazreku** added, “it means everything to have Barbie helping the world see T1D and the incredible people who live with it”.
Notably, blue polka dots adorn the doll’s matching top and skirt, a deliberate choice by **Mattel** to symbolize diabetes awareness.
Part of Broader Inclusivity Efforts
This doll expands **Mattel’s** Fashionistas line, which aims to reflect a wider range of identities. The line already includes dolls with varied skin tones, hair textures, disabilities, and body types. Past releases include a Ken doll with a prosthetic leg and a Barbie with hearing aids. In 2023, **Mattel** released its first doll with Down syndrome.
According to the American Diabetes Association, in 2022, 28.7 million adults aged 18 years or older were diagnosed with diabetes in the United States, representing 11.3% of the adult population. American Diabetes Association 2024
Unveiled at Children’s Congress
The new Barbie was unveiled at Breakthrough T1D’s 2025 Children’s Congress in Washington, DC, where the organization advocated for sustained federal research funding, with a particular emphasis on the Special Diabetes Program set to expire in September.
