Nick Jonas reflects on twenty-one years of living with type 1 diabetes

Singer Nick Jonas recently marked twenty-one years of living with type 1 diabetes by penning an open letter for Dexcom's A Letter to Diabetes campaign, which coincides with National Diabetes Awareness Month and World Diabetes Day on November 14. In his reflection, Jonas detailed the hidden effort required to manage the autoimmune condition, noting that he makes hundreds of small decisions every week, such as checking his phone for glucose levels or using his pump to bolus for food containing 17 carbs. Recalling his diagnosis at age 13, Jonas shared that a lack of public information at the time left him feeling unwell and losing weight without knowing why, a point he also highlighted during a July 2025 appearance on Penn Badgley's Podcrushed podcast. He noted that the unpredictability of the condition dismantled his belief in total control, teaching him lessons that left him feeling both grateful and resentful at times.

Community

Opening up about his condition allowed Jonas to find a sense of belonging that he previously struggled to find in school and youth circles. He stated that he shares his story so that newly diagnosed children in hospital beds can see someone living their dreams while managing the disease. According to World Health Organisation data cited in the report, over 40 percent of people globally with diabetes remain undiagnosed, highlighting a widespread need for better awareness of early signs like increased thirst, frequent urination, tiredness, and blurred vision.

Context

Type 1 diabetes is a rapid-onset autoimmune condition that requires lifelong blood glucose monitoring and insulin delivery, unlike the more gradual onset typically seen in type 2 diabetes. Public health campaigns like those by Dexcom and the World Health Organisation aim to bridge the information gap so patients receive timely diagnoses and crucial medical support.