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Here's how to stay on top of your blood sugar, wherever you are, without reaching for your phone.

Key takeaways: 

• The Simplera is Medtronic's smallest continuous glucose monitor. It's disposable and has a flat, square shape.
• There are two versions of the CGM: The Simplera works with the company's smart insulin pen (the InPen) and the Simplera Sync integrates with the MiniMed 780G AID system.
• The latest: The FDA recently approved Medtronic’s Simplera Sync sensor for use with its MiniMed 780G system. The new sensor is fully disposable, requires no fingersticks, and streams glucose data directly to the pump without a separate transmitter. 

Using an open-source AID system called Loop was only for the tech-savvy – until an engineer in California broke it down so people around the world could benefit.

With so many things happening in the diabetes tech world, it can be hard to keep up. Stay up to date here with the latest diabetes tech news and alerts.

Key takeaways:

• Fully closed-loop automated insulin delivery (AID) systems can simplify diabetes management by eliminating the need for meal announcements.
• Two recent studies presented at the ATTD 2025 conference showed these systems can effectively regulate glucose levels.
• Researchers said more work is needed to improve the results with the systems, including reducing mealtime spikes.

New data on the medication orforglipron – which is in development but not yet approved – shows encouraging results for both A1C and weight loss. Based on these findings, orforglipron holds promise as another oral option for type 2 diabetes. 

Key takeaways: 

• Many people with diabetes struggle to manage mealtime blood sugar levels, even with new advances in technology.
• In a recent clinical trial of adults with type 1 diabetes, the inhaled insulin Afrezza delivered similar A1C reductions compared to usual care, including multiple daily injections and automated insulin delivery.
• Experts emphasized that inhaled insulin is not a one size fits all approach – some trial participants did well on Afrezza, while others did not.

Key takeaways:

• People with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD) who took Ozempic (semaglutide) slowed the progression of kidney disease by 24% and cut their risk of death from kidney disease.
• Patients who took Ozempic versus placebo also cut their risk of major heart problems by 18%.
• The latest: Newly FDA approved for CKD, Ozempic is the first GLP-1 drug that’s been approved to reduce the progression of kidney disease and risk of cardiovascular events in adults with type 2 diabetes.

Key takeaways:

• The latest: Lower prices for 15 more medications – including Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus – are expected to be negotiated for 2027 as part of ongoing Medicare drug price negotiations.
• Reduced prices for 10 drugs covered under Medicare (including Jardiance, Farxiga, Januvia, rapid-acting insulin NovoLog, and ultra-rapid Fiasp) are scheduled to go into effect in 2026.
• People on Medicare paid roughly $3.4 billion in total out-of-pocket costs in 2022 for the drugs on the list. The new prices would save some people hundreds of dollars per month.

A new global initiative by Abbott aims to help people without diabetes understand what it’s like to live with the condition – and all the stigma that comes with it. 

Key takeaways:

• Managing diabetes and confronting diabetes stigma around the holidays can be especially challenging and stressful.
• Consider some simple adjustments – like making recipe swaps and incorporating time in range – to your diabetes management plan to feel more prepared for the holidays.
• It's okay not to be perfect. Give yourself grace and enjoy the holidays however feels best for you. 

Key takeaways:

• People with diabetes are two to three times as likely to have depression than people without, and that depression often goes underdiagnosed.
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a behavioral approach that encourages awareness, mindfulness, and centering one’s life around core values.
• Some of the tools used to manage negative thoughts about diabetes include visualizations, mindfulness, and setting values-based goals.

Want to get to know some of the people making a difference in the diabetes world? In our “5 Minutes With” series, we talk to experts and advocates who share inspiring stories and their take on the latest in diabetes care.

Key takeaways:

• Candy or carb-centered holidays like Halloween may feel like a nightmare, but diabetes doesn’t have to ruin the fun.
• Some healthy alternatives to Halloween candy include dried fruit, nuts, jerky, granola bars, and sugar-free gum.
• There are also lots of low-carb milk chocolate and candy options out there. Make sure to check nutrition labels so you know how many carbs or added sugars a product has.
   

Key takeaways:

• Spoonful of Laughter is a diaTribe campaign that uses comedy as a tool to educate people about diabetes and push back against stereotypes and stigma.
• The core of the campaign is six hilarious videos that show that even though diabetes is serious, there’s still humor to be found.
• You can get involved in the Spoonful of Laughter movement by watching and sharing the campaign videos, or by creating your own.

Key takeaways:

• Comedian Sam Morrison shares how comedy has helped him process living with type 1 diabetes, which he was diagnosed with in 2021.
• While of course diabetes is no joke, Morrison explains that using humor to talk about chronic conditions like diabetes is also a powerful tool for pushing back against stigma and stereotypes.
• Covering all this and more, his most recent solo show, “Sugar Daddy,” is playing for four weeks at the Wallis Theater in LA.

Key takeaways:

• Guidelines generally define time in range between 70 to 180 mg/dL. Time in tight range (70 to 140 mg/dL) is another way of stating the normal glucose range experienced by people without diabetes.
• Time in tight range may be a helpful metric for certain populations, including young children and pregnant people with type 1 diabetes, though more research is needed.
• Concerns around time in tight range for people with diabetes include increased burnout, more stress, and not having access to the proper tools or care team. However, given new technologies and therapies, more people with diabetes may be able to achieve such levels.

Diabetes apps like Glucose Buddy, eddii, mySugr, ChatCGM, and Happy Bob can be useful tools to monitor and improve blood glucose measures, including time in range.

Key takeaways:

• The free online tool Nightscout helps remotely monitor readings from continuous glucose monitors, along with meals, insulin, and other information.
• Online support is available from volunteers who can help with setup, troubleshooting, and creating reports to spot trends.
• The tool is optimized for do-it-yourself hybrid closed loop systems, but it also works with other CGM devices and insulin pumps.

Key takeaways:

• Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices show blood sugar trends over time.
• Consider some tips on how to raise the issue if your doctor hasn't yet suggested CGM use.
• There's a small but manageable learning curve when starting to use a CGM device and reporting back your results to your doctor's office.

Key takeaways:

• The Medtronic MiniMed 780G AID system automatically adjusts insulin doses from an insulin pump every five minutes based on CGM readings.
• Abbott will make a specific CGM sensor for the Medtronic Minimed 780G. Medtronic also announced its new CGM sensor, the Simplera, has been approved by the FDA. The Simplera is half the size of the current sensor.
• The latest: Newly presented clinical evidence positions Medtronic to expand access to the 780G system to those with type 1 aged 2-6 as well as those with type 2 diabetes.

Key takeaways:

• Some simple planning and small adjustments can help your CGM stay connected.
• Positioning, application and adhesion tips can assist in keeping sensors in place and avoiding skin irritation.
• Online communities are a great place to find suggestions for specific CGM issues from people with diabetes.

Key takeaways:

• Advanced technology like continuous glucose monitoring has reduced but not eliminated some of the challenges of hypoglycemia. 
• Research is being conducted on adjunctive therapies, including GLP-1 receptor agonists and SGLT-2 inhibitors, to pave the way for use in type 1 diabetes.
• Joining a clinical trial can help advance new treatments to make managing diabetes easier and, potentially, find a cure.

Key takeaways

• A new continuous glucose monitor, the Accu-Chek SmartGuide, can predict the risk of hypoglycemia from 30 minutes to seven hours ahead.
• The device is approved for use in Europe, with future U.S. approval and availability planned.
• The sensor can be worn for up to 14 days.