Olympian Jordan Chiles is setting her sights on a new goal: raising awareness of type 1 diabetes
Jordan Chiles is no stranger to challenges. As an Olympic silver medalist in gymnastics, the 23-year-old is known for her poise and determination under pressure. But when her aunt was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D), Chiles encountered a challenge that hit close to home.
“It was very devastating…I used to just think every day, is she going to be able to live?” Chiles shared in an interview with Fortune on the heels of Diabetes Awareness Month, which was in November.
Now, Chiles is collaborating with pharmaceutical giant Sanofi to raise awareness about T1D, focusing on the importance of early detection and proactive care.
Understanding Type 1 Diabetes
Unlike type 2 diabetes, which is often linked to lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise, T1D is an autoimmune condition, or insulin-dependent diabetes. It occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, making it impossible for the body to regulate blood sugar without insulin therapy.
Dr. Shara Bialo, a pediatric endocrinologist and Field Medical Director of T1D Immunology at Sanofi highlighted the common confusion between the two types of diabetes in an interview with Fortune, explaining that “up to 40% of adults with type 1 diabetes are initially misdiagnosed as having type 2.”
Bialo, who was diagnosed with T1D as a child, notes that anyone can develop the condition at any time, with about 90% of those diagnosed having no family history, according to research by the nonprofit Beyond Type 1. This underscores the importance of raising awareness and conducting early screenings through simple autoantibody tests.
Although there is currently no way to prevent T1D, early detection is crucial. It allows individuals to prepare by learning about the condition, monitoring blood sugar levels, and making healthy lifestyle adjustments, according to Bialo.
Turning awareness into advocacy
Chiles’ journey into advocacy began with her aunt’s diagnosis. Considering there is a 15 times increased risk of developing type 1 in the rest of the family, Chiles is encouraging families to visit resources like Screen for Type 1 to learn about screening options and risk factors.
“I don't play with health,” Chiles says. “We only have one life. Your life is more than what you think it is… Screening is a huge thing.”
Managing diabetes day-to-day and caring for loved ones
For those living with T1D, daily management involves constant attention to blood sugar levels, diet, and insulin administration. Bialo, who has been living with the condition for 31 years, says one “could do the exact same thing every single day at the same time, same food, same activity, and have a totally different diabetes experience every day.”
“If I had type 1 diabetes as an athlete, I don't think I could be as strong as how my aunt is right now, because that is very stressful, and every day is not the same,” Chiles added.
“I will say that type 1 diabetes does not escape my thoughts for more than a few minutes at a time. It is like my shadow that just follows me everywhere,” says Bialo.
Caregivers can play a vital role in supporting loved ones with type 1 diabetes. According to the Cost of Not Knowing survey from Beyond Type 1, commissioned by Sanofi, nearly all adults with T1D and all caregivers would recommend that their friends and family get an autoantibody screening—a blood test that can be ordered by your doctor—to understand their risk of developing the disease.
“As someone living with type 1, I want my family to be that ally with me and feel empowered to get screened, and if heaven forbid, it's positive, make moves right away to have a better foray into life with type 1 than I had, and that so many of my patients have,” Bialo notes.
Chiles, reflecting on her experience supporting her aunt, also emphasized the importance of patience after a new diagnosis. “You have to be very patient and understand that the body has to get acclimated to what is happening and how to figure out what’s good and what’s not good,” she says. She also stressed the need to uplift those with the condition: “You don’t want them to feel bad about what’s happening or about themselves. You want them to feel encouraged.”
Bridging the gap in women’s health
An area of T1D care that both Chiles and Bialo are passionate about is addressing the gender gap.
According to the Cost of Not Knowing research:
Women were more likely than men to have not had a screening before their diagnosis.
Women with T1D were more likely to have regrets about not getting screened.
97% of all women with T1D felt their overall health would’ve been improved had they known about their condition sooner.
Bialo feels this gap is likely because women find themselves in a caregiver’s role—tending to aging parents, children, and partners, which sometimes comes at the expense of their own health.
Chiles echoed Bialo’s thoughts, noting, “Women are just stubborn. We like to put our eggs all in one basket. We like to help everybody before we help ourselves.”
Adds Bialo, “It's okay to put your oxygen mask on before you help other people.”
More on diabetes:
These patients had to lobby for correct diabetes diagnoses. Was their race a reason?
A daily cup of tea could help improve blood sugar. Experts say one type offers the most benefits
This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
