5 Ways Mattel's New Diabetes Barbie Promotes Inclusivity

On July 8, 2025, Mattel unveiled a groundbreaking addition to its Barbie Fashionistas line: the first-ever Barbie doll with type 1 diabetes (T1D). This launch, in partnership with Breakthrough T1D (formerly the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation), marks a significant milestone in the brand’s ongoing commitment to inclusivity and representation. Designed to reflect the lived experiences of the roughly 304,000 children and teens in the United States living with T1D, this doll aims to empower young people, reduce stigma, and foster empathy through play. Here’s a comprehensive look at the doll’s features, its impact, and the broader context of its release.

The Doll’s Design: Authenticity Meets Barbie Flair

The Type 1 Diabetes Barbie is a carefully crafted representation of individuals managing this chronic autoimmune condition, where the body’s immune system attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, requiring lifelong insulin therapy. Mattel collaborated closely with Breakthrough T1D and the T1D community to ensure medical accuracy and cultural sensitivity. The doll, priced at $10.99 in the U.S. and £13.99 in the U.K., comes equipped with features that mirror real-life T1D management:

Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM): A small, wearable device on the doll’s arm continuously tracks blood sugar levels. It’s secured with heart-shaped, Barbie-pink medical tape, adding a touch of the brand’s signature style.
Insulin Pump: Attached to the doll’s waist, this device automates insulin delivery to help manage blood sugar levels throughout the day and night.
CGM App Display: The doll carries a toy phone displaying a CGM app, showcasing a blood glucose reading of 130 milligrams per deciliter—within the typical target range of 70–180 mg/dl for people with T1D. The app also features a graph illustrating the daily fluctuations in blood sugar levels.
Diabetes Awareness Outfit: Barbie sports a chic blue polka-dot crop top and ruffled miniskirt, with the blue color and circular pattern symbolizing global diabetes awareness.
Pastel Blue Purse: A matching purse allows Barbie to carry T1D supplies and snacks for managing low blood sugar, blending practicality with fashion.

Emily Mazreku, Breakthrough T1D’s Director of Marketing and Communications, who lives with T1D herself, played a pivotal role in the doll’s design. Over nearly two years, she conducted focus groups to gather feedback from the T1D community, ensuring the doll authentically represents their experiences. Mazreku shared a personal anecdote about giving the doll to her 3-year-old daughter, who remarked, “She looks like Mommy,” highlighting the emotional impact of seeing T1D represented in a beloved toy.

Launch and Advocacy: A Platform for Change

The Type 1 Diabetes Barbie debuted at the Breakthrough T1D 2025 Children’s Congress, a biennial event in Washington, D.C., where over 160 children with T1D gathered to advocate for continued federal funding for the Special Diabetes Program. Established in 1997, this program supports critical research but faces uncertainty as its current funding expires after September 2025. Breakthrough T1D emphasized the urgency of renewing this funding, especially amid recent cuts to federally funded projects.

Mattel’s commitment extended beyond the doll’s creation. The company donated dolls to the Children’s Congress and contributed £20,000 to Breakthrough T1D UK on behalf of model Lila Moss, a T1D advocate. The launch also honored two prominent figures with T1D: Moss, daughter of Kate Moss, and Peloton instructor Robin Arzón. Both received one-of-a-kind Barbie dolls in their likeness, amplifying the message of empowerment. Moss described the experience as “surreal” and expressed pride in representing the T1D community, noting that the doll’s accessories—her CGM and insulin pump—are vital tools that make living with T1D “smoother and more practical.” Arzón emphasized the doll’s role in showing children that challenges like T1D can fuel resilience and ambition.

A Broader Commitment to Diversity

The Type 1 Diabetes Barbie is part of Mattel’s Fashionistas line, which now includes over 175 diverse dolls representing various skin tones, body types, disabilities, and medical conditions. Since introducing its first doll with a disability—Share-a-Smile Becky, who used a wheelchair—in 1997, Mattel has expanded its inclusivity efforts. Recent additions include a blind Barbie with tactile clothing and braille packaging, a Black Barbie with Down syndrome, and dolls with hearing aids, prosthetic limbs, and vitiligo. In 2024, the blind Barbie and Down syndrome doll were among the most popular globally, signaling strong demand for representative toys.

This focus aligns with research from experts like Dr. Sian Jones and Dr. Clare Uytman at Queen Margaret University’s Toy Box Diversity Lab. Their studies, grounded in Rudine Sims Bishop’s “mirrors and windows” theory, suggest that diverse toys help children from minority groups see themselves reflected while offering others a window into different lived experiences, fostering empathy and reducing systemic inequality. Cardiff University research further supports that playing with diverse dolls enhances children’s social skills and empathy.

Community Impact and Reception

The T1D Barbie has sparked widespread discussion. Positive reactions highlight its role in normalizing chronic conditions and empowering children. Arjun Panesar, CEO of diabetes.co.uk, noted that “representation matters—especially in childhood,” as it helps reduce stigma and shows kids they’re not alone. Parents have praised the doll’s potential as a tool for role-playing doctor’s visits and treatments, making T1D management feel less daunting/feared. However, some social media reactions, as reported by The Times of India, included sarcastic or critical comments, such as calls for other condition-specific dolls. Despite this, supporters argue that the doll’s inclusive design outweighs such critiques, with one X user calling it “inspiring” for reducing stigma.

Availability and Sustainability

The Type 1 Diabetes Barbie is available at major retailers like Walmart and Amazon, as well as the Mattel Shop. Mattel also emphasized sustainability, incorporating at least 50% ISCC-certified bio-circular plastic and FSC-certified packaging for the 2025 Fashionistas line.

Why It Matters

With approximately 9.5 million people globally living with T1D, including 1.85 million under age 20, this doll addresses a significant need for visibility. Krista Berger, Mattel’s Senior Vice President of Barbie, underscored its importance: “By reflecting medical conditions like T1D, we ensure more kids can see themselves in the stories they imagine.” The doll not only empowers children with T1D but also educates others, blending medical realism with Barbie’s iconic style to make inclusivity both fashionable and meaningful.