Where can I find out about interactive programs and games that make learning about diabetes fun for children and teenagers?

Where can I find out about interactive programs and games that make learning about diabetes fun for children and teenagers?

The American Diabetes Association recently unveiled a new interactive learning feature for young people with diabetes, which can be accessed at http://www. diabetes.org/for-parents-and-kids/resources.jsp and then by clicking on the link to Youth Zone Games. These are interactive short programs that hold children’s
attention by responding with an outcome to a specific set of choices relating to health and diabetes.

Pharmaceutical companies often provide educational resources. An example of a new interactive program for diabetes education is now offered by Merck Inc. It is called Journey For Control and uses a system of Conversation Maps for interactive education and decision making. The program and a video describing the conversation maps can be accessed at http://www.journeyforcontrol.com and then clicking on the link to the Conversation Map Program.

If sufficient resources were to be invested, very sophisticated interactive video games could be developed that could combine an educational message with a genuinely interesting and exciting adventure activity. However, since these types of programs are very expensive and unlikely to recoup their costs commercially, they will probably remain relatively short and simple until costs come down.