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Prevention

To eliminate the threat of type 1 diabetes (T1D) for future generations, the JDRF Prevention Program teams up with allies in academia, industry and government to fund groundbreaking research, and then translates this knowledge into therapies that can stop T1D from developing.

Our Approach

People are being diagnosed with T1D at a growing rate. T1D is not preventable, and there is no cure—yet. At JDRF, we have developed significant knowledge about the causes of T1D. As we increase our understanding of these causes, we will also uncover ways to prevent them from occurring. Until we have found ways to prevent T1D, we must stop or slow its progression during its earliest stages.

  • Expand T1D screening

    so people will know their risk before they develop symptoms

  • Delay the onset of T1D

    so people are insulin-free for longer

  • Develop a vaccine

    so no one needs to worry about T1D again

“I am married and have three wonderful children. It worries me that my children have a higher chance of developing type 1 diabetes than the general population. Knowing JDRF is developing treatments to delay the onset of T1D and prevent it gives me great peace of mind.”

Jeramie I.

39 years old, diagnosed at age 12

Jeramie I.

Many Paths, One Purpose

Our research into prevention technologies is just one potential pathway to finding a cure.Explore JDRF’s ambitious research portfolio. JDRF is working relentlessly to prevent, treat and cure T1D and its complications.

All Research

Get involved and help lead us toward a cure

Patient speaking with health professional

Volunteer for a Clinical Trial
The U.S. Capitol building

Talk to Your Members of Congress About T1D
Crowd of JDRF One Walk participants

Participate in a JDRF Event Near You

Prevention Progress

2015

New clues into the triggers of T1D

JDRF-supported study findings suggest researchers are narrowing in on factors that may cause T1D. The findings could be an important step toward a key JDRF goal: preventing development of T1D in at-risk individuals.

2016

Screening a path to prevention

Armed with the knowledge that T1D begins well before symptoms appear, researchers test different ways to interrupt disease progression and prevent the onset of symptoms in T1D.

2017

Intercepting and Preventing the Onset of T1D

JDRF T1D Fund invests in Provention Inc.’s lead program, which aims to potentially reduce new T1D cases by 50 percent.

2017

Collaboration to research risk factors in children

IBM and JDRF are developing machine learning methods to analyze years of global T1D research data and identify factors leading to the onset of T1D in children--the first precision medicine effort in T1D.

Looking Ahead

To date, more than $115 million has been invested by JDRF in prevention research. One day, T1D will be like polio or measles, and we will only read about it in our vaccination records.

Latest Prevention Updates