StenoYouth is a clinical and organisational development project at Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen focused on improving care and support for young people aged 15–22 years living with type 1 diabetes and experiencing either dysregulated diabetes management and/or significant psychosocial vulnerability. Learn more in the videos on this page.
The project addresses the unique challenges associated with adolescence and emerging adulthood, including transition processes, education, social life, independence, and self-management of a chronic condition. The overall aim is to strengthen both diabetes management and psychosocial well-being through tailored, youth-oriented support.
Target Group
The primary target group is adolescents and young adults aged 15–22 years with type 1 diabetes who experience:
- Dysregulated diabetes management
- Psychosocial vulnerability
- Challenges related to transition from paediatric to adult care
- Difficulties navigating education, social participation, or everyday life with diabetes
A secondary target group is the families and caregivers of the young people involved.
Project Design and Intervention Components
StenoYouth consists of two interconnected intervention tracks:
- A structured educational programme
- Continuous social-pedagogical support
The project combines clinical diabetes care with relational and psychosocial support tailored to the developmental needs of young people.
As part of the intervention, participants are offered group-based workshops and individual support sessions. The workshops provide opportunities for peer support, shared experiences, and dialogue about topics identified as relevant by the participants themselves, including education, social life, identity, emotional well-being, and diabetes self-management.
In parallel, young people are offered one-to-one support from dedicated staff members, focusing on issues such as navigating healthcare services, educational guidance, psychosocial challenges, and communication with healthcare professionals.
A central principle of the intervention is flexibility and youth involvement, ensuring that support is adapted to the needs, preferences, and life circumstances of each participant.
User Involvement and Collaboration
User involvement is a fundamental element of the project design. Young people contribute to the development and evaluation of the intervention through questionnaires, interviews, and participation in the StenoYouth Panel.
The project is anchored across several departments at Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen, including:
- Department of Diabetes Treatment, Children and Adolescents
- Prevention, Health Promotion and Society
- Research Group for Children and Adolescents
- Evidence and Quality Improvement
- StenoYouth is conducted in collaboration with:
- King's College London
- Rigshospitalet
- Behandlingshjemmet Solglimt
Perspectives and Scaling Potential
The project runs from 2024–2027 and forms part of the Steno Next Generation programme.
StenoYouth has both national and international scaling potential as a model for healthcare interventions targeting young people in transition from paediatric to adult healthcare services.
The project also contributes to the growing field of integrated clinical and psychosocial approaches in adolescent chronic disease management, with the potential to inform future interventions across other long-term health conditions.