Skip to main content

JDRF has now rebranded to Breakthrough T1D.
Our name has changed, our mission has not.

Life expectancy and type 1 diabetes

When you’re diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, it’s natural to have lots of questions about what the future holds. It can be hard living with uncertainty, but each person’s experience is different.
Content last reviewed and updated: 03.06.2024

There’s no such thing as an ‘average’ person with type 1 diabetes. The condition is too complicated to be able to give any statistics about how it might affect how long you live.

Accelerating access to technology and medicines

Since the ground-breaking discovery of insulin over a century ago, diabetes research and care have been transformed. Thanks to research, which we’ve often funded, new discoveries are leading to better treatments and technological advances.

Every day we’re driving research to cure, treat and prevent type 1. We’re accelerating access to technology and medicines for everyone with type 1 and giving vital support and information.

Thanks to your support, we’re striving to make sure that type 1 diabetes has no effect on your life expectancy in the future.

More helpful information

Read more
A hand holding a plastic model of a kidney

Complications research

Find out how we’re funding research to make type 1 complications a thing of the past.

Read more
A person with type 1 diabetes doing a finger prick test to check their blood glucose levels

Managing type 1 diabetes

Find out how to manage your blood glucose levels, count carbs and deal with hypos and hypers.

Read more
Two men hugging to support their emotional wellbeing

Emotional wellbeing

Find information and support to help you manage your emotional wellbeing when you’re living with type 1.