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The Conversation
The Conversation
Lynne Chepulis, Associate Professor, Health Sciences, University of Waikato

New Barbie with type 1 diabetes could help kids with the condition feel seen – and help others learn

Mattel Inc/AP, The Conversation, CC BY

Barbie has done many things since she first appeared in 1959. She’s been an astronaut, a doctor, a president and even a palaeontologist. Now, in 2025, Barbie is something else: a woman with type 1 diabetes.

Mattel’s latest Barbie was recently launched by Lila Moss, a British model who lives with type 1 diabetes. The doll comes with a visible insulin pump and a continuous glucose monitor, devices many people with diabetes rely on.

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