American Diabetes Association 2026 Standards of Care: Key Diabetes Guidelines & Updates

Before we get into what’s new for 2026, it helps to understand what these changes actually mean for you. Diabetes care is always improving, and when strong research shows that a treatment helps people stay healthier, the guidelines update to match. The goal is simple: to make day‑to‑day life with diabetes safer, easier, and less stressful. 

What Are the American Diabetes Standards of Care? 

Every year, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) updates its Standards of Care. These are guidelines that help healthcare professionals know the most up-to-date ways to treat diabetes. 

These standards rely on levels of evidence. That means: 

  • Strong recommendations come from many high-quality studies. 
  • Other recommendations may be based on early research or expert experience. 

Not everything changes every year. Some things stay the same, like: 

  • The importance of healthy eating and physical activity
  • Keeping blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol in a safe range 
  • Working with your healthcare team to set personal goals that fit your life 

 

Automated Insulin Delivery (AID) Is Now the Preferred Option 

For 2026, the ADA made a major change: Automated Insulin Delivery (AID) is now the preferred way to take insulin (over non-automated insulin pumps and multiple daily injections) for:1

  • Everyone with type 1 diabetes
  • Adults with type 2 diabetes

This is the first time AID has received the strongest level of recommendation for people with type 2 diabetes. 

Why? Because studies have shown that AID systems can:1

  • Increase time in range 
  • Help protect against highs and lows
  • Lessen the daily burden of diabetes

Healthcare professionals may also consider AID for adults with type 2 diabetes who only use basal insulin but still aren’t meeting their blood sugar goals. 

 

What Do the ADA Changes Mean for You 

Here are some simple takeaways from the updated guidelines: 

  • AID is the first choice for many people who use insulin. 
  • You can start AID early, even close to diagnosis. 
  • Access should be broader and easier. 
  • The best device is the one that fits your lifestyle and preferences. 
  • Both patients and providers need support and education to succeed with technology.

 

How Omnipod® 5 Fits the 2026 Standards of Care 

Omnipod 5 is a tubeless AID system that works with leading Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) brands. It receives your glucose values and trend information from the CGM sensor and then automatically adjusts your insulin every 5 minutes. This helps to protect against lows, correct against highs 2-4, and lessen the everyday work of diabetes. 

Its tubeless design and simple access through the pharmacy make Omnipod 5 a system that supports the ADA’s 2026 Standards of Care.

To see how Omnipod 5 could fit into your diabetes care, click here to learn more. 

Jessica Sparks Lilley (pediatric endocrinologist)

Article by

Jessica Sparks Lilley (pediatric endocrinologist)

Last updated 03/18/2026

Jessica Sparks Lilley is a pediatric endocrinologist and the senior manager of field medical affairs at Insulet Corporation. She was drawn to her career field by beloved family members who were diagnosed in early childhood with T1DM. She trained at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Her passion for her home state drew her to practice in rural Mississippi for 13 years, first building an academic satellite clinic then a new multispecialty clinic with far-flung outreach, each from the ground up. She had a regular column in Medscape, “It’s a Small World,” on a variety of topics in pediatric endocrinology. Her research focused on diabetes numeracy and inherited lipid disorders. She has actively supported Breakthrough T1D and the Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi. She is passionate about expanding access of diabetes technology to people living with diabetes and joined Insulet in 2024 after seeing the transformative impact of automated insulin delivery in her patients and loved ones.

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References and Disclaimers

1. American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee for Diabetes. 7. Diabetes technology: Standards of Care in Diabetes—2026. Diabetes Care 2026;49(Suppl. 1): S150–S165 

2. Brown S. et al. Diabetes Care (2021). Study in 240 people with T1D aged 6 - 70 years involving 2 weeks standard diabetes therapy followed by 3 months Omnipod 5 use in Automated Mode.  Average time with high blood glucose in adults/adolescents and children, standard therapy vs 3-month Omnipod 5: 32.4% vs. 24.7%; 45.3% vs. 30.2%. Average time with low blood glucose in adults/adolescents and children, standard therapy vs 3-month Omnipod 5: 2.9% vs. 1.3%; 2.2% vs. 1.8%. 

3. Sherr JL, et al. Diabetes Care (2022). Study in 80 people with T1D aged 2 - 5.9 yrs involving 2 weeks standard diabetes therapy followed by 3 months Omnipod 5 use in Automated Mode. Average time with high blood glucose in very young children, standard therapy vs 3-month Omnipod 5: 39.4% vs. 29.5%. Average time with low blood glucose in very young children, standard therapy vs 3-month Omnipod 5: 3.43% vs. 2.46%.  

4. Pasquel FJ, et al. JAMA Network Open (2025). Prospective pivotal trial in 305 participants with T2D aged 18-75 yrs. Study included a 14-day standard therapy (ST) phase followed by a 13-week Omnipod 5 hybrid closed-loop phase. Mean time >180 mg/dL as measured by CGM: ST = 54%, 3-mo Omnipod 5 = 34%, P<0.001. Mean time <70 mg/dL as measured by CGM: ST = 0.2%, 3-mo Omnipod 5 = 0.2%. 

The Omnipod® 5 Automated Insulin Delivery System is indicated for use by individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus in persons 2 years of age and older and type 2 diabetes mellitus in persons 18 years of age and older. The Omnipod 5 System is intended for single patient, home use and requires a prescription. The Omnipod 5 System is compatible with the following U-100 insulins: NovoLog®, Humalog®, Admelog®, and Kirsty®.​

Available products subject to current insurance coverage and product indication for use. Insulet can only support onboarding for those customers within the product indication. 

Refer to the Omnipod 5 Automated Insulin Delivery System User Guide and www.omnipod.com/safety for complete safety information including indications, contraindications, warnings, cautions, and instructions. 

Warning: DO NOT start to use the Omnipod 5 System or change settings without adequate training and guidance from a healthcare provider. Initiating and adjusting settings incorrectly can result in over-delivery or under-delivery of insulin, which could lead to hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia. WARNING: SmartAdjust technology should NOT be used by anyone under the age of 2 years old. SmartAdjust technology should also NOT be used in people who require less than 5 units of insulin per day as the safety of the technology has not been evaluated in this population.