Lay summary
In NZ, all people under 18 with type one diabetes can apply for a universal child disability allowance (CDA) of ~$53/week, which recognises the extra care needed for a child with a significant disability or illness. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) is recommended as a standard of care management for type one diabetes. With CGM not being publicly funded in NZ, there is anecdotal evidence that families use the CDA to subsidise self-funded CGM. A potential consequence of families accessing CGM via the CDA is that the funding – and access to this standard of care treatment – ends at 18 years, which may pose significant challenges for diabetes self-management during a period of major life transition. This project examines the impacts of losing CDA funding at age 18 with a particular focus on potential loss of access to CGM and associated impacts on quality of life and glycaemic control.