Inside Health

Type 1 diabetes treatment is undergoing a significant shift as a new drug, teplizumab, is introduced on the NHS to delay the onset of the disease by several years.

Teplizumab, which has been used to treat type 1 diabetes for over a century, is now being deployed to delay the disease's progression. The drug has shown promise in trials, with patients experiencing a delayed onset of symptoms. The NHS is rolling out this treatment alongside increased screening efforts to identify those who could benefit from it.

Dima, a participant in the teplizumab trial, and his mother Elena shared their experience of being told Dima had tested positive for developing type 1 diabetes and their participation in the trial. Their story provides a personal perspective on the impact of this new treatment.

Parth Narendran, Professor of Diabetes Medicine at the University of Birmingham, and Dr. Renuka Dias, Consultant Paediatric Endocrinologist at Birmingham Women's and Children's Hospital, explained the transformative potential of these changes. They highlighted how teplizumab and improved screening are changing the landscape of type 1 diabetes treatment.

In a separate initiative, the NHS announced plans in July to incentivize walking a marathon a month by offering vouchers and discounts. However, the plan's specifics remain unclear. Joan Costa-i-Font, Professor of Health Economics at the London School of Economics, discussed the factors that contribute to the success or failure of such schemes.

Additionally, the show explored why horse fly bites are particularly painful. Dr. Erica McAlister, an entomologist at the Natural History Museum, explained the mechanics of horse fly bites, while Dr. Alexandra Banner, a consultant dermatologist, described the body's reaction to these bites.

The introduction of teplizumab and the NHS's new incentives scheme mark significant developments in health and wellness. As these initiatives progress, they hold the potential to transform the lives of those affected by type 1 diabetes and encourage healthier lifestyles.