The prevalence of type 1 diabetes mellitus is approximately 5%-10% of all diabetes patients, which is estimated to be approximately 10 to 20 millions in the world. Every year approximately half a million individuals below 14 years of age are diagnosed with type-1 diabetes worldwide. Undoubtedly, type-1 diabetes is the primary type of diabetes among children below 10 years of age and the incidence of type1 diabetes is increasing. The rate of prevalence of type-1 diabetes varies greatly in different parts of the world, e.g. in China the prevalence rate of type-1 diabetes is less than 0.1 per 100,000 population, whereas in Finland the prevalence of type-1 diabetes is as high as 37 per 100,000 people.

It was previously thought that type-1 diabetes is essentially a disease of the young (most commonly affect younger age group) and was distinguished from type2 diabetes, which is generally diagnosed at much older age than type-1 diabetes. But the scenario is changing and presently new-onset type 1 diabetes is diagnosed in adults.

There are several organizations and research foundations which are engaged in research, to find a solution for type 1 diabetes and trying to find a cure, such as JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation). The aim of foundations such as JDRF is to fund research activities across the globe and find a cure for type 1 diabetes.

The Diabetes Research Institute Foundation is another research foundation, dedicated for research in diabetes and to find a cure for diabetes, which is founded by a group of parents with children with diabetes with an aim of finding a cure for type-1 diabetes. Other well known organizations involved in diabetes research and cure include, ADA (American Diabetes Association), International Diabetes Federation (with branches in over 160 countries), Canadian Diabetes Association, Diabetes Australia etc.