• Mattel unveils its first Barbie doll with Type 1 diabetes, featuring realistic medical accessories.
• The doll includes a Continuous Glucose Monitor and an insulin pump, emphasizing health awareness.
• Barbie's outfit design symbolizes global diabetes awareness with blue polka dots.
• The launch aims to promote empathy and inclusion for children with diabetes.
• The release coincides with the Breakthrough T1D Children’s Congress, advocating for federal research funding.

Mattel has launched its first-ever Barbie doll specifically designed to represent children living with Type 1 diabetes. This initiative reflects a significant commitment to inclusivity and empathy among young audiences, according to Indiatimes.

The new Barbie doll features essential medical accessories, including a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) and an insulin pump. This design accurately reflects the daily management that children with diabetes must navigate, ensuring that those affected can see their lives represented in popular culture, as noted by Bangkok Post and Indiatimes.

The doll is dressed in a blue polka dot outfit, a design element that symbolizes global diabetes awareness. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 2 million people in the U.S. live with Type 1 diabetes, making this representation crucial for fostering understanding and reducing stigma, as reported by Channel News Asia and LA Times.

This launch occurs during the 2025 Breakthrough T1D Children’s Congress, where over 170 children advocate for the renewal of the Special Diabetes Program, highlighting the importance of ongoing research funding. Barbie’s presence aims to amplify this critical message, emphasizing the need for support within the diabetes community, as highlighted by Bangkok Post and Indiatimes.