Behavioral Diabetes Institute

04/04/2026

There's still time!!
Register now to join the BDI team in sunny San Diego for our continuing education program Engaging the Disengaged

Do you ever feel stumped when someone in your care is reluctant to take needed medication, appears to be too overwhelmed to take action, or perhaps seems not interested in diabetes management?

On April 18, BDI will host a live, one-day, 6-hour CME workshop: Engaging the Disengaged: Innovative Strategies for Promoting Behavior Change in Diabetes. Join Dr. Polonsky (BDI President) and Dr. Guzman (BDI Director of Clinical Education) for this lively interactive workshop which will examine the powerful role of psychosocial factors in diabetes self-management. Participants will deepen their skills in recognizing and addressing common barriers to effective self-management and cardiometabolic medication initiation and maintenance, while fostering engaging, respectful, stigma-free clinical encounters.

Registration includes lunch and refreshments and will be limited to 50 participants, there are still a few spaces left! Click here to find out more. https://diabetesedstore.net/products/engaging-the-disengaged-promoting-behavior-change-in-diabetes

And, many thanks to Abbott Diabetes Care for supporting this program.

04/04/2026

In the most recent episode of Blue Circle Health’s “Around the Circle: Living Well with T1D” podcast, Dr. Polonsky (BDI President) chats with Scott Johnson about emotional health and type 1 diabetes. https://www.bluecirclehealth.org/news-updates/

Around the Circle: Living Well with T1D Episode 13
Dr. Bill Polonsky: What the World Still Hasn’t Heard About Emotional Health and T1D

News & Updates Sign up for our newsletter Email Blue Circle Health in the Media Around The Circle In The Media Research Updates From The CEO All Around the Circle Podcast Around the Circle: Living Well with T1D brings together voices from across the type 1 diabetes community to share real stories, e...

04/04/2026

T1D Strong has just published a new article about Dr. Polonsky and the BDI. You can read it right here:

Dr. William Polonsky, founder of the Behavioral Diabetes Institute (BDI), helped redefine how clinicians address diabetes distress, burnout and mental health. He explains how changing clinical language transformed patient experiences, why diabetes distress differs from depression and why emotional s...

03/13/2026

Have you had a chance to check out our "BDI Briefs" on YouTube? We have 17 short videos taking a look at important issues like the emotional side of diabetes. Join Drs. Polonsky and Guzman along with Diabetes Advocate Scott Johnson and find important insights and dialogue about living with diabetes.
https://www.youtube.com/

03/13/2026

Did you know that BDI offers print materials to help people affected by diabetes? Check out our website to download free PDFs or to order bulk glossy pamphlets! https://behavioraldiabetes.org/print-materials/
*The Emotional Side of Diabetes
*Don't Freak Out! 10 Things to Know When Diagnosed with T2
*Breaking Free from Depression and Diabetes
*Diabetes Etiquette for People who DON'T Have Diabetes
*Diabetes Etiquette for Parents

02/17/2026

New publication ALERT! check out Dr. Polonsky's newest announcement regarding how CGM boosts self-efficacy

https://diabetesjournals.org/docm-care/article/1/1/118/164293/How-CGM-Boosts-Self-Efficacy-Engagement-With-Self?guestAccessKey=9e417645-8621-4f0e-9c13-54ee0640525e

02/12/2026

Save the date! On April 18, the Behavioral Diabetes Institute will host a live, one-day, interactive CME workshop here in sunny San Diego:
Engaging the Disengaged: Innovative Strategies for Promoting Behavior Change in Diabetes.
Find out more: https://diabetesedstore.net/products/engaging-the-disengaged-promoting-behavior-change-in-diabetes

02/05/2026

BDI directly offers an array of unique, behaviorally-oriented
products and services for: people with type 1 diabetes; people with type 2 diabetes; parents of children and teens with diabetes; spouses and partners of people with diabetes; and interested healthcare professionals. Products and services include print materials; online courses and modules, face-to-face workshops and seminars, professional training programs, and an online library of resources.

02/05/2026

BDI focuses on addressing the social, emotional, and psychological barriers to living a long and healthy life with diabetes.
To better understand and overcome these obstacles, BDI is actively
engaged in research examining the psychological aspects of diabetes and evaluating innovative
behavioral interventions.

01/29/2026

BDI would like to highlight the amazing work of the local non-profit Grownup T1Ds

Grownup T1Ds is a nonprofit organization eagerly willing to improve the lives of older adults with Type 1 Diabetes. You’re in the perfect spot for some serious support, fun, advocacy, education, and, of course, everlasting friendships- regardless of how experienced you are with this Diabetes thing or how recently you have joined the club. We’re all about keeping things warm and welcoming, and we have a toolbox full of resources to help you on your Diabetes journey. We also hold fun, in-person meet-ups (versus virtual meetings) and social events where we are with others who truly understand us. To learn more, click https://grownupt1ds.org/