Around 4 in 5 people living with diabetes have experienced diabetes stigma. Not only does this make their personal experience harder, but it can also have a negative impact on the support and funding available. 

 Here at Diabetes WA, we have signed the Pledge to End Diabetes Stigma – find out more about how you can join in, too.  

1. What is diabetes stigma?

Diabetes stigma refers to the social judgments, stereotypes and prejudices that have a negative impact upon people living with diabetes. It can be a sense of being blamed, judged or treated differently for having diabetes. 

These judgements can occur in workplaces, schools, healthcare settings and social interactions, and can lead to the unfair treatment of people living with diabetes. 

2. Where does this stigma come from?

Often it comes down to a simple lack of knowledge. Many people are not aware that there are different types of diabetes, including type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes, for example. 

Another myth is that diabetes is solely caused by an unhealthy diet or lack of exercise. In fact, the cause of diabetes is different for everyone and may be due to things they can’t change such as genetics, environment and autoimmune issues. 

The media also plays a part, being quick to point out the things we ‘should’ be doing to lower our risk of developing diabetes, without clarifying that for many people, diabetes cannot be prevented, no matter what they do or don’t eat. 

3. What is the impact of diabetes stigma?

This stigma can result in workplace discrimination. This might include being denied access to breaks or a private location to check and manage blood glucose levels or administer insulin. It can also include being told off for taking sick leave too often or at short notice, which can create a hostile work environment. 

While Australia does have laws in place to combat workplace discrimination for those living with a medical condition, worrying about discrimination can lead to people hiding their medical condition. This can sometimes mean people delay taking their medication or monitoring glucose levels when out of the house. 

In fact, 17% of people with type 1 diabetes have reported that stigma has affected their diabetes management. This is why it’s so important when public figures, such as Alexander Zverez, are open about living with diabetes. 

Social discrimination is another way that diabetes stigma is expressed. People may feel judged for their food choices or made to feel uncomfortable for using insulin in public, which can be risky for people living with diabetes. 

4. What about the impact of diabetes stigma on mental health for people living with diabetes?

Almost 50% of people living with diabetes experience mental health challenges, with a higher likelihood of developing depression than those without the condition. Along with the challenges of managing diabetes, facing judgement from others can contribute to feelings of failure, guilt, shame or self-blame. Attempts to hide their diabetes can also produce anxiety and make it harder to self-manage diabetes when out of the house.   

5. What are some of the common misconceptions around diabetes?

One misconception is that only people who have obesity are at greater risk of developing diabetes. In fact, people with all body types can develop type 1 or type 2 diabetes. 

Another misconception is that it’s a ‘lifestyle disease’ and people have somehow brought it upon themselves. In fact, no one has asked for the condition. What people living with diabetes need is support, empathy and understanding, not judgement. 

6. What is the End Diabetes Stigma pledge?

End Diabetes Stigma is a pledge that has been established for both organisations and individuals to sign. 

Dr Elizabeth Holmes-Truscott, deputy director at the Australian Centre for Diabetes Behavioural Research (ACBRD), co-led an expert panel of 51 people from 18 countries to develop the international consensus, which offers clear, evidence-based recommendations for collective action to end diabetes stigma. The consensus concluded in a pledge to end diabetes stigma, inviting organisations and individuals around the world to join the movement. Action on the pledge and its impacts will be the focus of a forthcoming global summit to take place in India. 

Dr Elizabeth Holmes-Truscott is hopeful that the pledge can create real change for people living with diabetes. “As a diabetes researcher, and a woman who experienced gestational diabetes in pregnancy, the pledge is important to be me both professionally and personally,” she says. “Despite my research, I blamed myself for the diagnosis. I received unsolicited judgments and assumptions.” 

Elizabeth says that her research has shown that this is an everyday experience for many people living with diabetes and can impact them in many ways.  

“For women with gestational diabetes, stigma can impact how they feel about themselves, their diabetes management, as well as contributing to long-term worries about their health, family planning decisions and diabetes screening behaviour. This is what drives my research efforts. I took the pledge because people with diabetes of any type deserve to live without blame, shame and the harmful impacts of stigma.”  

Organisations and individuals can now endorse the pledge either as an individual or as an organisation.  In doing so, they pledge to contribute to bringing an end to diabetes stigma. 

 By taking the pledge, people commit to:

• recognising that diabetes stigma exists.

• respecting all people with diabetes. 

• acknowledging and challenging our own prejudices around diabetes. 

• using accurate and non-judgmental language. 

• condemning discrimination. 

• encouraging initiatives, policies and laws that promote equity for all people with diabetes. 

7. What can you do to help challenge diabetes stigma?  

Take small steps, such as educating yourself on the different types of diabetes and the preferred language around diabetes.

Sign the pledge! You or your organisation can show your support for by endorsing the Pledge to Eliminate Diabetes Stigma. Since its launch in November 2023, more than 3,500 organisations and individuals have taken the pledge. 

Other steps to take include supporting people living with diabetes by listening, educating yourself, advocating for better awareness and politely challenging incorrect statements when you hear them. 

Further reading 

The Pledge to End Diabetes Stigma and the Global Summit

The International Consensus to End Diabetes Stigma and Discrimination