Mattel launches Barbie with Type 1 diabetes and a glucose monitor

Barbie is expanding its repertoire with the launch of a doll that has Type 1 diabetes and is outfitted with medical devices, such as a wearable insulin pump, commonly used by people with the condition.

Mattel announced the newest member of its Barbie Fashionistas line on Tuesday, saying that it not only lets children see themselves in the doll, but also encourages play "that extends beyond a child’s own lived experience." The doll has a continuous glucose monitor attached to her arm and an insulin pump attached to her waist.

Krista Berger, senior vice president for Barbie and global head of dolls, said in a news release that the doll "marks an important step in our commitment to inclusivity."

"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," Berger said.

The Mayo Clinic defines Type 1 diabetes as a chronic condition that results when a person's pancreas creates little to no insulin, the hormone that helps glucose get into cells, where it's broken down. A glucose monitor allows someone with the condition to keep track of their sugar levels and inject insulin to help their body process glucose.

An insulin pump is a wearable device that allows for an easy supply of insulin into the body.

More than 18,000 young people under the age of 20 were diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in the U.S. last year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The agency reported that there's been about a 2% increase per year in diagnosed cases between 2002 and 2018.

Barbie partnered with the nonprofit organization Breakthrough T1D in the development of its new doll and to ensure an accurate reflection of the devices, the release said. Breakthrough T1D CEO Aaron J. Kowalski said he was "thrilled" when the company proposed a collaboration.

"I have lived with T1D since I was 13, and my brother since he was 3, so this partnership is deeply personal – it means the world to be part of bringing greater visibility to a condition that affects so many families," Kowalski said.

A link to buy the doll on Mattel's website appears to already have reviews from parents who were sent the doll, as the website notes the reviews are "incentivized."

One parent wrote that they gave the doll to their 7-year-old daughter and it opened up a conversation about diabetes. Another parent called it a "great addition" to the Barbie brand.

"We have a close family friend who is T1D, so this was an excellent opportunity to explain what each item was and what it does to help keep people safe and healthy," the review said.