Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life-threatening yet avoidable acute complication of type 1 diabetes. Alarmingly, five or more episodes of DKA increase the risk of premature mortality by 23%1. In young people, the psychological burden from living with diabetes has been shown to be highly predictive of frequent DKA, particularly for youth from economically challenged homes.

Teenagers with diabetes widely report feelings of isolation from their peer group. The resulting loneliness is a compounded concern because it may lead to poor diabetes self-management. Evidence indicates that interventions that provide support, education and resources for children and families undergoing the challenges of living with diabetes result in improved consistency in treatment regimens, improved glycemic control and a decreased necessity for repeated hospitalizations.