Diabetes UK launches campaign to tackle stigma
Diabetes UK hopes its new campaign – which is being launched this World Diabetes Day on 14 November – will challenge some of the common misconceptions and hurtful comments that people with diabetes receive every day. The charity's Strike Out Stigma campaign is raising awareness of the impact of the negative attitudes and false assumptions people make about people living with or at risk of diabetes. The campaign highlights how stereotypes and misconceptions about diabetes are often internalised by people living with diabetes. Some people are then more likely to report symptoms of depression, anxiety, diabetes distress and low self-esteem.
A Diabetes UK survey about stigma revealed:
- More than 5 in 10 said that stigma, judgement or shame means they sometimes avoid medical appointments.
- Across the UK over 8 in 10 people with type 1 and over 7 in 10 people with type 2 say they experience blame and judgement for their condition.
- People from Black African, Black Caribbean and South Asian communities are more likely to experience diabetes stigma.
- Almost 6 in 10 people said stigma impacts on their own self-confidence and over half also internalise that shame and believe they are at fault.
- 2 in 10 experience stigma in the workplace every few weeks.
- Stigma is most commonly experienced close to home, from friends and family members.
Sharing stigma experiences
The #Strike Out Stigma campaign includes stories collected from people living with all types of diabetes about how stigma shows up in their day-to-day lives and how it impacts their wellbeing. Diabetes UK is keen for others to share their own experiences to help raise the voices of the diabetes community and share stories of stigma. The charity also has a stigma hub on its website, including resources, information and guidance.
Demanding change, increasing awareness and encouraging support
Diabetes UK wants fewer people living with diabetes to experience stigma, which the charity believes will lead to more empowerment, better health outcomes, fewer days in hospital, more research investment, new treatments and better care. The charity says the Strike Out Stigma campaign aims to:
- Strike out misinformation in the media.
- Strike out the judgement at healthcare appointments.
- Strike out assumptions about why someone has diabetes.
- Strike out the food policing from friends and family.
- Strike out the lack of support and understanding at work
- Strike out the division between different types of diabetes.
- Strike out blame in decision-making and ensure policy makers and healthcare funders understand diabetes.
Find out more about the campaign and how to support it on the Diabetes UK website here.