Podcast Summary: "In the News PLUS our 2026 Predictions"

Podcast: Diabetes Connections | Type 1 Diabetes
Host: Stacey Simms
Date: January 2, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, Stacey Simms delivers a news roundup on the latest diabetes headlines and trends as of early 2026, followed by her five major predictions for the year ahead in diabetes technology, medication, and community engagement. The episode is concise, information-rich, and geared to both parents of children with Type 1 diabetes and adults living with T1D themselves.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Latest Diabetes News (00:43–09:09)

• Statins for Type 2 Diabetes
  • New research indicates statins benefit a broader Type 2 population than previously understood, lowering all-cause mortality and major heart events in both high and low-risk groups.
• Ritatrutide (Eli Lilly's Next-Gen GLP-1 Drug)
  • In a phase 3 trial, patients lost up to 71 pounds on the highest dose over 68 weeks.
  • “More than 12% lost so much weight and experienced other adverse events…they stopped taking the drug.” (02:11)
  • Unusual side effect: 20% on high dose developed skin pain.
  • Additional benefits: Reduced arthritic knee pain by 75%.
  • Further results pending for lower doses.
• Medtronic MiniMed Spin-Off & IPO
  • Medtronic's diabetes business is spinning off as MiniMed, soon to IPO.
  • MiniMed touts its fully integrated diabetes management system and is developing a patch pump (MiniMed Fit) and the Simplera CGM.
• Tandem Diabetes' t:slim Mobile App in Canada
  • Launches mobile app for both Android and iOS, allowing smartphone bolusing and wireless data upload to Tandem Source platform.
  • Approved by Health Canada in September 2025.
• Rising Gestational Diabetes Rates in the US
  • From 2016 to 2024, cases increased 36% across all racial and ethnic groups, per data from 12 million births.
• Discovery of New Diabetes Types
  • New genetic form found in infants, emerging within first six months—85% due to inherited mutations.
  • Type 5 Diabetes:
    • Recently recognized by the International Diabetes Federation.
    • Stems from nutrient deficiency, not insulin resistance.
    • Existing treatments may be harmful.

2026 Predictions: The “Big Five” (09:09–24:50)

1. Continuous Ketone Monitoring (09:29)

• "Most people I’ve talked to expect this to be approved, possibly released in the second half of 2026. Dexcom’s also working on this, but it sounds like Abbott will be the first to market." (10:07)
• Abbott’s dual glucose/ketone sensor could be a game changer, especially for drugs (like sotagliflozin) linked to DKA risk but improved glucose control.
• Will aid doctors in prescribing medications previously avoided due to ketone risks.

2. Non-Invasive Glucose Monitoring (12:16)

• Stacey expects the FDA to approve at least one non-invasive glucose monitoring device in 2026.
  • "Will it work? Great question. I don’t think it’ll work well enough to dose insulin…But there are so many of these devices in the pipeline." (12:53)
• Potential FDA label: “Observational use only.”
• Warns against hype: “Everyone you know is going to send you every article and post about this”—prepares listeners for media buzz and confusion.
• Possibility that companies may seek FDA approval only to sell or shelve the technology instead of bring it to market.

3. Inhaled Insulin for Kids (Afrezza) (15:25)

• Afrezza pending FDA pediatric approval in 2026.
  • Excitement among parents for "fewer needles for kids."
  • Stacey shares: "Benny, my son, has used Afrezza with a pump to knock down a high when something goes wrong..." (16:37)
• Notes that this does not eliminate the need for long-acting insulin.

4. GLP-1 Medications for Type 1 (17:34)

• Studies concluding this year may prove semaglutide and tirzepatide are safe and effective as add-ons to insulin for Type 1s.
  • "We will see some studies conclude that semaglutide and tirzepatide are safe and effective as an additional therapy with insulin for people with type 1." (17:46)
• FDA approval would help with insurance coverage.
  • Warns of possible public backlash due to overuse and aggressive marketing: "One in eight Americans is taking one…The more people that take this without a real doctor… the more bad stuff is going to happen." (19:13)
• Hopes warnings and bad press don’t discourage appropriate, life-changing use within the diabetes community.

5. AI Content (Slop) and Human Connection (20:59)

• Rising AI-generated content in diabetes support groups and on social media is making it harder to distinguish genuine lived experience from manufactured stories.
• "Do I know for sure? I don't. So I'm not confronting anybody online right now…But this AI stuff is making us all so dumb when it’s used in this way." (22:06)
• Stacey’s advice: Seek real human interaction for support: "Get yourself some human beings around you. And I know that's a lot tougher than scrolling, but it is infinitely more rewarding." (23:11)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Continuous Ketone Monitors:
  "If you’ve ever had to wring out a cotton ball that you stuck into your baby’s diaper to collect urine so you can check ketones, you’ve got to know this is a pretty big deal." — Stacey (10:54)
• On Non-Invasive Glucose Monitoring Hype:
  "It won’t say like for entertainment purposes only, although it probably should. It’ll say like observational use only, or something like that." — Stacey (13:45)
• Cautious Optimism for GLP-1s in Type 1s:
  "With all of that, even more people will start taking them… And the more people that take this without a real doctor… the more bad stuff is going to happen and the more scary news stories will be shared." — Stacey (19:19)
• On AI and Diabetes Community:
  "But if it makes you feel bad and guilty and inadequate, just stop. Stop following. Don’t worry about that person. Don’t worry about whether it’s even AI." — Stacey (22:56)
• Emphasis on In-Person Support:
  "My conclusion of this prediction is that we are going to see a demand for much more in-person connection – whether it’s two people at a coffee shop talking about type one, or it’s a hundred people at a Mom’s Night Out event." — Stacey (23:25)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Headlines Rundown: 00:43–09:09
• Prediction 1: Continuous Ketone Monitoring: 09:29–12:16
• Prediction 2: Non-Invasive Glucose Monitoring: 12:16–15:25
• Prediction 3: Inhaled Insulin for Kids: 15:25–17:34
• Prediction 4: GLP-1s for Type 1s: 17:34–20:59
• Prediction 5: AI/Authenticity & In-Person Connection: 20:59–24:50

Tone & Style

Stacey’s delivery is conversational, knowledgeable, and seasoned with humor and directness. She shares personal anecdotes (as a diabetes mom) and emphasizes the human side of diabetes care.

Takeaways

• Major clinical and technological advances are on the horizon in 2026, from dual glucose/ketone sensors to potential shakeups with non-invasive glucose monitors.
• The diabetes community can expect both progress and challenges, especially regarding new therapies and how technology shapes the support landscape.
• Stacey encourages listeners to remain critical thinkers—especially about headline health tech—and to prioritize authentic, in-person support for long-term well-being.

For listeners who want deeper dives into any of these topics, Stacey notes that full interviews and discussions will appear in upcoming episodes.