Many people living with diabetes face stigma because of their condition. Some even avoid seeking medical care because of it. A new survey by health care company Abbott, involving 2,680 people with diabetes, reveals how widespread and damaging this stigma can be.
The survey found that nearly 70% of respondents feel there is a stigma attached to diabetes. About 77% said their mental health has suffered because of this stigma, and almost 25% admitted they’ve hidden their diagnosis from friends or family due to embarrassment.
Even the survey team was surprised by the results. Dr. Mahmood Kazemi, Chief Medical Officer at Abbott Diabetes Care, said, “I knew diabetes took a toll on patients, but I didn’t realize how deep the stigma ran.” One shocking finding was that 40% of respondents skipped doctor’s appointments because they felt ashamed.
What Does Diabetes Stigma Look Like
Diabetes affects over 38 million adults in the U.S., with another 97.6 million having prediabetes. Despite its prevalence, many misconceptions about the condition persist.
Dr. Susan Guzman, Director of Clinical Education at the Behavioral Diabetes Institute, explains that stigma often stems from misunderstandings about the disease. For example, many believe diabetes is entirely preventable through diet and exercise. However, research shows genetics play a significant role in its development.
This misconception leads to harmful judgments. Over 60% of survey respondents said family members have blamed them for having diabetes. Another common bias is the expectation that people with diabetes should manage their condition perfectly. In reality, diabetes is unpredictable, and even with lifestyle changes and medication, it can be hard to control.
The Impact of Stigma
Stigma often leads to hurtful comments. The survey found that 76% of respondents have heard remarks like, “Should you really be eating that? ” or “Have you tried losing weight?” Even well-meaning health care providers can contribute to stigma by using terms like “controlled” or “uncontrolled” diabetes, which can make patients feel like failures if their blood sugar levels aren’t perfect.
“Diabetes is a complex disease with many contributing factors. It’s never your fault,” Dr. Kazemi emphasizes. “You can’t change the genes you were born with.”
Taking Action Against Stigma
Abbott’s Above the Bias initiative aims to raise awareness about diabetes stigma and combat it. The initiative includes resources like a quiz to test your knowledge about diabetes and links to educational websites like diaTribe’s dStigmatize.org.
The survey also found that two in five people with diabetes feel their condition is often the punchline of jokes. Comments like, “Just looking at this food is giving me diabetes! ” are not only hurtful but also based on myths about the disease.
Dr. Guzman suggests using person-first language, such as “people with diabetes” instead of “diabetics,” to avoid reducing individuals to their condition. She also emphasizes the importance of offering support. “Seventy percent of survey respondents said supportive comments would help them manage their diabetes better,” Dr. Kazemi notes.
The Bottom Line
Diabetes stigma has real-life consequences, from harming mental health to preventing people from seeking care. By educating ourselves and offering support, we can help reduce this stigma.
“People with diabetes can live long, healthy, and happy lives,” Dr. Guzman says. “Getting the care and support you need is how you get there—and we all have a role in making that happen.”
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