You Can Now Buy a Barbie With a Chronic Disease

Barbie. Once synonymous with long legs, long blonde hair, and Malibu, now has type 1 diabetes. 

Mattel, Inc. announced on July 8 that it would debut the first Barbie doll with type 1 diabetes. 

Doing so "enables more children to see themselves reflected in Barbie and encourages doll play that extends beyond a child’s own lived experience," according to the company.

“Introducing a Barbie doll with type 1 diabetes marks an important step in our commitment to inclusivity and representation,” Krista Berger, senior vice president of Barbie and Global Head of Dolls, said in the statement. “Barbie helps shape children’s early perceptions of the world, and by reflecting medical conditions like T1D, we ensure more kids can see themselves in the stories they imagine and the dolls they love.”

According to the American Diabetes Association, about 304,000 children in the United States had type 1 diabetes in 2021. That's about 0.1 percent of the population under the age of 20.

Barbie is partnering with Breakthrough T1D (formerly the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation), a type 1 diabetes research and advocacy organization, to create the doll.

Media photos show Barbie wearing a blue polka dot jumper. And also sporting a Continuous Glucose Monitor on her arm to help manage her type 1 diabetes.

Barbie also has an insulin pump attached to her waist. And a purse to carry all of her type 1 diabetes supplies and snacks.

Type 1 diabetes, a chronic condition where the body doesn't make any or enough insulin. 

“We were thrilled when Barbie approached us to collaborate on the development of the Barbie doll with type 1 diabetes,” Aaron J. Kowalski, CEO of Breakthrough T1D, said in a statement. 

Kowalski said he has lived with type 1 diabetes since he was 13, so the partnership with Mattel is personal.

"It’s an honor to work with a brand that shares our commitment to showing children that a life with type 1 diabetes can be full, vibrant, and empowering," Kowalski said.

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