Barbie with Type 1 Diabetes Makes Her Debut

There’s a new Barbie on the block!

A new Barbie doll‚ who has type 1 diabetes and wears a continuous glucose monitor and insulin pump, is available from Mattel, part of the toymaker’s inclusive Fashionistas line.

In designing the new Barbie, which retails for $10.99, Mattel partnered with leading diabetes organization Breakthrough T1D to ensure that the medical devices were accurate — but, of course, still in the doll’s signature pink.

“Introducing a Barbie doll with type 1 diabetes marks an important step in our commitment to inclusivity and representation,” Krista Berger, Senior Vice President of Barbie and Global Head of Dolls said in a press release. “Barbie helps shape children’s early perceptions of the world, and by reflecting medical conditions like T1D, we ensure more kids can see themselves in the stories they imagine and the dolls they love.”

On her arm, Barbie wears a continuous glucose monitor, held in place with heart-shaped tape. The small, wearable device comes linked to Barbie’s phone, which shows a display of a glucose monitoring app — a parallel for the real-life wearable monitors, which monitor glucose levels 24 hours a day via a sensor under the skin. 

The doll also has an insulin pump attached to her waist that can administer insulin as needed. Insulin pumps, the Cleveland Clinic explains, are an alternative to the traditional daily injections used to manage the condition.

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic, life-long autoimmune condition that prevents the pancreas from making insulin to regulate blood sugar. Those with Type 1 diabetes need to take synthetic insulin daily, the Cleveland Clinic explains. The disorder impacts 1.24 million people in the U.S., but that number is expected to grow to 5 million by 2050.

“It means the world to be part of bringing greater visibility to a condition that affects so many families,” Aaron J. Kowalski, Ph.D., CEO of Breakthrough T1D, said in a press release. “It’s an honor to work with a brand that shares our commitment to showing children that a life with type 1 diabetes can be full, vibrant, and empowering.” 

And of course, since she’s Barbie, she needs her stylish outfit, so she’s dressed in a blue polka dot dress — the color itself a nod to diabetes awareness. She comes with light blue booties, and a coordinated light blue purse to store her snacks, cellphone, and other needs.

Other dolls in the Fashionistas line include a blind Barbie who carries a cane, a Barbie with Down syndrome, and a Barbie who uses a wheelchair.

People