BEHAVIORAL DIABETES INSTITUTE

Addressing the Psychosocial Aspects of Diabetes

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BDI MONTHLY UPDATES

What's New in May 2025

It's a busy month at BDI!

In this month’s episode of BDI Briefs, we discuss our newest questionnaire, the Diabetes Constraints Scale, and BDI’s research in this area. This new questionnaire highlights how diabetes can lead people to feel restricted and limited in their lives and how new diabetes technologies are helping those same people to regain their sense of freedom. Join Dr. Guzman (BDI Director of Clinical Education), Dr. Polonsky (BDI President), and Scott Johnson (famed diabetes blogger and a dear BDI friend) for this stimulating discussion.

Watch it here

 Study recruitment is almost completed for BDI’s new research project which is investigating an innovative diabetes education program. However, we still have room for a few more people with type 2 diabetes. This opportunity might be right for you if you are ready to get on track with your diabetes, were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes less than 10 years ago, live anywhere in the U.S. and your last A1C was 7.0% or higher. 

The study is examining how innovative new approaches to diabetes education might help to improve glucose outcomes and quality of life. Participants will be randomly assigned to take part in one of two different live, online, group education programs. Each group program will be lively and informative, and will meet once weekly for 5 weeks in a row. Also, half of the participants will receive a continuous glucose monitor and free testing supplies. If you are at all interested, don’t delay!  

To find out more and see if you might qualify, click below to apply. Or for more information, email us at [email protected] or call us at 858-336-8693. 

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SJ8NS6P 

JOIN US FOR A LOCAL EVENT

Monthly Events

May 7OMEGA Conference
May 7: As a keynote speaker at OMEGA, the First International Conference on Once-Weekly Glycated Albumin Monitoring for Diabetes, Dr. Polonsky (BDI President) will be presenting on “Glucose Monitoring and Behavior Change” (Tokyo, Japan).
May 14Case Consultation
May 14: BDI hosts the San Diego-wide, monthly case consultation meeting (for mental health professionals working in the field of diabetes). Contact us at [email protected] if you are in the greater San Diego area and would like further information about this program.
May 18T1D Meet Up
May 18: Time for another T1D meet-up! Our friends and colleagues at GrownupT1Ds, a wonderful nonprofit here in southern California, is organizing another fun social event for adults with type 1 diabetes. This time it is a Walk, Talk & Picnic, and it begins at 11 am at the Bommer Canyon Trail (1 Sunnyhill, Irvine, CA). 92084. This event is free, but please RSVP Kelly Daes at www.grownupt1ds.org.
May 23SITEC 2025
May 23: Dr. Polonsky will be presenting (virtually) on “Far Beyond Time in Range: Exploring the Promises and Limitations of CGM” at SITEC 2025, Innovation and Technology Transforming Diabetes Care (Sao Paolo, Brazil). https://sitec.diabetes.org.br/

TYPE 2 DIABETES RESEARCH STUDY

Ready to get on a better track with your type 2 diabetes?

We are STILL recruiting for BDI’s new research study which is investigating an innovative diabetes education program. This opportunity might be right for you if you are ready to get on track with your diabetes, were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes less than 10 years ago, live anywhere in the U.S. and your last A1C was 7.0% or higher. The study is examining how innovative new approaches to diabetes education might help to improve glucose outcomes and quality of life outcomes. Participants will be randomly assigned to take part in one of two different live, online, group education programs. Each group program will be lively and informative, and will meet once weekly for 5 weeks in a row. Also, half of the participants will receive a continuous glucose monitor and free testing supplies. To find out more and see if you might qualify, click below to apply. Or for more information, email us at [email protected] or call us at 858-336-8693.

BEHAVIORAL DIABETES INSTITUTE

Recent Publications

During 2024, BDI staff authored or co-authored 24 scientific publications (which includes the 3 new ones highlighted above) and 8 published abstracts at major scientific meetings. You can see the full list right HERE. Our work has covered a wide range, including studies on diabetes distress, the value of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) for people with diabetes, the impact of diabetes medications on quality of life, the benefits of diabetes technology for people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, diabetes stigma, and more.

WHO WE ARE

Behavioral Diabetes Institute

Behavioral Diabetes Institute (BDI) is a nonprofit organization located in San Diego, California, focused on addressing the social, emotional, and psychological barriers to living a long and healthy life with diabetes. To better understand and overcome these obstacles, BDI is actively engaged in research examining the psychological aspects of diabetes and evaluating innovative behavioral interventions. In addition, BDI directly offers an array of unique, behaviorally-oriented products and services for: people with type 1 diabetes; people with type 2 diabetes; parents of children and teens with diabetes; spouses and partners of people with diabetes; and interested health care professionals. Products and services include print materials; online courses and modules, face-to-face workshops and seminars, professional training programs, and an online library of resources.

BEHAVIORAL DIABETES INSTITUTE

BDI Print Booklets

The Emotional Side of Diabetes

Don't Freak Out!

Diabetes Etiquette

Teens Diabetes Etiquette

Breaking Free From Depression

Spanish Diabetes Etiquette