Some of us live with diabetes.
None of us should live with diabetes prejudice.
I heard it’s totally preventable.
You did this to yourself.
Yet, 40% of people with diabetes have skipped or missed a doctor's appointment due to shame or stigma.5
Just avoid dessert.
The myths we believe
The memes we post
The things we say
They don't just hurt.
They harm.
“No one chooses to live with diabetes.”
Aoife
“As soon as I mention that I have diabetes, people say it’s my fault.”
Takahiro *
“People with Type 2 diabetes are ridiculed and not taken seriously.”
Ken
“It can be draining for us to try and correct someone.”
Daniel
“I feel like I’ve taken 100 steps back.”
Jennifer
See what it feels like to live with diabetes prejudice.
What we don’t know can, and does, hurt us.
To combat the misconceptions and end the prejudice surrounding diabetes, it’s crucial to debunk some common myths. Take a quiz to get informed and set the record straight.
What we don’t know can, and does, hurt us.
To combat the misconceptions and end the prejudice surrounding diabetes, it’s crucial to debunk some common myths. Take a quiz to get informed and set the record straight.
MYTH OR FACT?
People with diabetes shouldn’t eat sugar.
NO, While people with diabetes do need to monitor their sugar, that doesn’t mean it’s off limits.1 Moderating sugar is a healthy strategy for everyone.2
While people with diabetes do need to monitor their sugar, that doesn’t mean it’s off limits.1 Moderating sugar is a healthy strategy for everyone.2
What we don’t know can, and does, hurt us.
To combat the misconceptions and end the prejudice surrounding diabetes, it’s crucial to debunk some common myths. Take a quiz to get informed and set the record straight.
MYTH OR FACT?
People with diabetes can get rid of diabetes by losing weight.
NO, There is no cure for diabetes, but a healthy, active lifestyle is recommended for those living with it.3
There is no cure for diabetes, but a healthy, active lifestyle is recommended for those living with it.3
What we don’t know can, and does, hurt us.
To combat the misconceptions and end the prejudice surrounding diabetes, it’s crucial to debunk some common myths. Take a quiz to get informed and set the record straight.
MYTH OR FACT?
It’s your fault if you get diabetes
NO, The exact cause of diabetes is unclear. Multiple complex factors lead to its development, including genetics, nutrition, environment, sleep and stress.4
The exact cause of diabetes is unclear. Multiple complex factors lead to its development, including genetics, nutrition, environment, sleep and stress.4
Nearly
7 out of 10
People with diabetes believe there’s stigma associated with the condition.5
Nearly
1 out of 4
People with diabetes have avoided sharing their diagnosis with family or friends due to embarrassment or concern.5
4 out of 10
People with diabetes have skipped or missed doctor’s appointments due to fear of stigma.5
Ending diabetes prejudice starts here.
Learn what you can do to end it
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Diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases around the world. 6 And yet, too few people understand its causes, or the health risks involved.
Learn more about diabetes here
Be aware of diabetes stigma and prejudice:
Words don't just hurt. They harm. A quick judgment. An uninformed opinion. The punchline of a joke. People with diabetes are bombarded with hurtful comments every day. For many people with diabetes, hurtful prejudices can lead to avoiding the care they need.
Learn how diabetes stigma impacts people living with diabetes here
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Empathy leads to understanding and breaking cultural bias – an important first step within our broader goal of dismantling diabetes prejudice. People living with diabetes reported hearing harmful statements from those closest to them including family, friends and doctors.5 We urge everyone to recognize diabetes biases and empathize with those affected.
Learn more about how to use accurate, respectful and inclusive communications when talking about diabetes here
Learn what we're doing to end it
Diabetes prejudice is a deep-rooted societal issue. It will require significant effort across multiple industries and communities to come together to help dismantle it.
Abbott has launched Above the Bias, a global multi-year initiative that aims to expose the negative impact of cultural bias and stigma that people living with diabetes face every day. By driving thoughtful conversation, taking meaningful action and ceaselessly advocating for the diabetes community, we aim to dismantle diabetes prejudice and create a world where people living with diabetes feel supported and empowered to make progress on their health journey.
Above the Bias builds on the work that came before us with a goal to reach broader audiences.
Learn who else is helping to end it
Diabetes Canada – Change the conversation about Diabetes https://www.diabetes.ca/about-diabetes-canada/change-the-conversation-about-diabetes
diaTribe/DStigmatize - https://www.dstigmatize.org/
International Consensus to end diabetes stigma and discrimination - https://enddiabetesstigma.org/
LET’S END DIABETES PREJUDICE
#ABOVETHEBIAS
- Data on File. Abbott Diabetes Care. Based on a global survey among 1,233 adult participants (n=134 with type 1 Diabetes, n=1,099 with Type 2 Diabetes) commissioned by Abbott and conducted by Savanta in May 2024
- (Accessed October 2024) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2023, December 20). Be Sugar-Smart. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-weight-growth/be-sugar-smart/#cdc_report_pub_study_section_4-recommendations
- (Accessed October 2024) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC]. (2024, May 15). Diabetes Basics [Basics]. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/index.html
- (Accessed October 2024) National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). (2022, July). Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes. National Institutes of Health (.gov). Retrieved from https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/risk-factors-type-2-diabetes
- Data on File, Abbott Diabetes Care.
- (Accessed October 2024) Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (ODEC). (2023, November 7). Health at a Glance 2023. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/the-top-10-causes-of-death
- Abbott Employee
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