DIABETES STIGMA

What it is and how to deal with it?

- DR KATE MARSH

Whether or not you are familiar with the term, if you have diabetes, chances are you have experienced diabetes stigma. A 2021 Diabetes Australia report found that over 80 per cent of people living with diabetes will have experienced it at some point in their lives. So, what exactly is diabetes stigma, and what can you do if faced with it?

What is diabetes stigma?

Stigma is defined as a set of negative and often unfair beliefs that a society or group of people have about something. With diabetes stigma, that something' is diabetes.

Stigma can be based on negative attitudes, prejudice, or a lack of understanding. When it comes to diabetes, this can result in a lack of support or empathy for a person or people living with diabetes, along with stereotyping, exclusion, rejection and/or discrimination. Diabetes stigma can be experienced in personal relationships, the workplace, and in social situations.

Our language matters

One way to reduce stigma is through the language we use. With this in mind, Diabetes Australia has developed a position statement on language use when communicating with and about people with diabetes. While the position statement is aimed at people working in healthcare, the media, government and policy, academia, industry, employers and the community, it may also be helpful for family and friends of people with diabetes. You can find a copy of the position statement (Our Language Matters: improving communication with and about people with diabetes) on the Diabetes Australia website: www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/ research-advocacy/ position-statements/

People with diabetes may experience stigma in many ways, including:

being blamed for causing their diabetes or diabetes-related complications

being judged for example, when eating certain foods being shamed for giving insulin or checking blood glucose levels in public