People with Diabetes

BDI along with colleagues in the field of diabetes health and mental wellbeing are continuously working on research projects to further improve the lives of people living with diabetes worldwide.

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BDI Briefs

BDI’s monthly video program about the emotional side of diabetes that examines a different topic in each episode. This program is designed both for healthcare professionals and for people with diabetes.

Psyching Out Diabetes

Dr. Polonsky’s presentation at the “Search for a Cure” TEDx Del Mar event where clinicians and researchers share research and real life experiences with others involved in the search. Dr. Polonsky presented on the emotional and behavioral issues involved in managing diabetes, and outlined BDI’s understanding of the approaches used by people who live well with diabetes.

Being Diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes: A Panel of Patients Discusses Their Emotional Experiences

Watch this panel of people with type 2 diabetes discuss how they felt and reacted to their diagnosis of type 2. The panel is moderated by Dr. Lawrence Fisher, Director of Research for BDI. This event was sponsored by Takeda Pharmaceutical Company.

Diabetes Burnout – From Discouraged to Encouraged

Watch BDI’s Dr. Susan Guzman’s presentation on why diabetes can be so discouraging. Dr. Guzman offers strategies that people with diabetes can use to help keep them motivated. This presentation was delivered at the George Hegstrom Annual Diabetes Symposium, Mary Greeley Health Center.

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Monthly Events

May 13: 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.

On October 24, BDI will host a live, one-day, CME workshop: Engaging the Disengaged: Innovative Strategies for Promoting Behavior Change in Diabetes. Run by Dr. Polonsky (BDI President) and Dr. Guzman (BDI Clinic Director), Participants will deepen their skills in recognizing and addressing common barriers to effective self-care and cardiometabolic medication initiation and maintenance, while fostering respectful, stigma-free clinical encounters.

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.

The Lived Experiences of Adult Continuous Glucose Monitor Users with Type 1 Diabetes with Recurrent Severe Hypoglycemic Events and Impaired Awareness of Hypoglycemia: A Qualitative Study

May 1, 2026 No Comments

Adriana Boateng-Kuffour 1, Caitlin S Kelly 2, Huyen T Nguyen 2, Keval Chandarana 3, Katherine S Chapman 2, Liang Chen 3, Emilee M Cornelius 2, Wendy A Wolf 2, William H Polonsky 4 Abstract Introduction: Although type 1

From Language Matters to Stigma-Free Communication in Diabetes: Evolution, Challenges, and Next Steps.

May 1, 2026 No Comments

Elizabeth Holmes-Truscott, Emmanuel Ekpor, Eloise Litterbach, Renza Scibilia, Partha Kar, Jane K Dickinson, Susan Guzman, Matthew Garza, Mariam Asaad, Mark T U Barone, Chitra Selvan, Tejal Lathia, Amy McInerney, Peter Senior, Timothy Skinner, Jane Speight