The Global Collaborative for Changing Diabetes in Children (GC-CDIC)

The Global Collaborative for Changing Diabetes in Children (GC-CDIC) is an initiative led by the Health Systems Innovation Lab at Harvard University, with sponsorship from Novo Nordisk. This project aims to significantly advance the understanding and management of Type 1 Diabetes (T1DM) in children and adolescents across various countries. By establishing a virtual cohort and implementing a comprehensive cohort study, the GC-CDIC seeks to generate new insights into the etiology, pathogenesis, and optimal management of T1DM, while also identifying effective health system adaptations and innovations to improve patient outcomes on a large scale. 

The project is structured around four interrelated workstreams: research, data systems, innovation, and translation. These workstreams collectively address the critical clinical and therapeutic variations observed among T1DM patients, aiming to uncover new sub-types and syndromes not yet described in medical literature. Through the design and introduction of advanced data systems, the project will pool and analyze data from participating countries, providing a strong foundation for research and evidence-based policy recommendations. This will enable the identification of best practices and innovative approaches to T1DM management, ultimately informing health policies and programs across GC-CDIC countries. 

Key activities within the project include establishing a virtual cohort, conducting readiness assessments, securing necessary approvals from individual countries, facilitating introduction of data systems and developing capacity building training materials. The project will be implemented in phases, starting with preparatory work, followed by testing and onboarding in selected countries, and culminating in the dissemination of findings and policy recommendations. This phased approach ensures meticulous preparation, rigorous testing, and efficient scaling, leading to sustainable improvements in health systems and significant benefits for children and adolescents with T1DM globally.