There are calls for the Government to urgently address Aotearoa's diabetes "epidemic" after a new study revealed it's on the rise.
The number of children with diabetes is climbing. A new global study showed in 30 years it's spiked 40 percent.
Health experts here say it's time we really focus on what will be one of the biggest health issues for the next generation.
Jarod and Sophie Summers aren't your typical dad-and-daughter duo - Sophie wants to be a teacher just "like my dad".
They also share something else. They both live with type 1 diabetes.
"I don't want to say it's an elephant in the room, but it's a thing that's always there," Jarod told Newshub.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease where the body doesn't produce enough or any insulin.
Type 2 diabetes is when the body develops insulin resistance. It's preventable and often linked to obesity.
A new study found the number of children with either type is growing. Diabetes New Zealand chief executive Heather Verry told Newshub "it is absolutely an epidemic".
The research, which followed 1.5 million children over 30 years, found a 39.4 percent increase in the number diagnosed globally.
By 2019 there were just shy of 230,000 kids with the disease, and that's just the ones recorded.
Verry told Newshub the study's findings are incredibly concerning.
"This is the major health issue on the agenda for the Government and they need to address it."
Diabetes specialist Professor Ben Wheeler said the disease is a "big deal" and sometimes "goes under the radar".
"But is one of the biggest killers, one of the main causes of renal failure. We need to be constantly doing better than we are."
Prof Wheeler told Newshub we're seeing the same upwards trend among children here.
"Type 1 diabetes definitely. Type 2 diabetes absolutely."
Health Minister Dr Ayesha Verrall said the disease has a "big impact" on people's lives and is aware of the increase.
The Summers both have continuous glucose monitors, which can monitor their blood sugar levels through their phones.
But the device is not funded by Pharmac and Jarod believes it should be.
"Not only for our whanau but when Sophie's older, that she… won't have to worry about finding extra money just to live."
A financial burden that may soon be lifted. Pharmac is considering funding the monitors and will be seeking commercial bids soon to determine whether it's possible.
But experts say a long-term plan is also needed to prevent diabetes. That includes awareness and education as well as access to better healthcare.
"But it just needs to be addressed cause the burden on the health system is quite substantial and will only get worse," Verry said.
Worse for the next generation as more and more Kiwis grow up with the disease.
