Language-Based Disparities in Continuous Glucose Monitor Prescriptions for Diabetes Patients

Recent research has identified significant disparities in the prescription of continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) among adults with type 2 diabetes, especially based on language preference. A study published in June 2025 in JAMA Network Open analyzed over 69,000 patients, revealing that those with a non-English language preference (NELP) were notably less likely to receive a CGM prescription compared to their English-speaking counterparts. Specifically, only 7.4% of NELP patients had a CGM prescribed, versus 12.7% of English language preference (ELP) patients, in unadjusted analyses.

When accounting for other factors, patients with NELP still faced a substantially lower likelihood of receiving a CGM prescription, with an adjusted odds ratio of 0.58. This disparity was even more pronounced among patients with uncontrolled diabetes (hemoglobin A1c > 9%) and those using insulin, maintaining a significant gap in access. Researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston emphasized that language preference plays a crucial role in medical prescribing patterns, highlighting an urgent need for targeted interventions to address these inequities.

The study underscores the importance of equitable healthcare practices and suggests that language barriers may impede access to advanced diabetes management tools. Several authors involved disclosed industry ties, including one with a related patent, indicating ongoing industry interest in this area. For further details, the full study can be accessed in JAMA Network Open (2025). Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-06-disparities-glucose-rx-language.html