New Survey Finds Shame and Misconceptions Are Preventing People with Diabetes from Seeking the Care They Need
A new short film, “Above the Bias,” released by global healthcare company Abbott, is drawing attention to the emotional and social challenges faced by people living with diabetes in Ireland. The film coincides with new survey findings revealing that stigma and misinformation about the condition are still widespread and are seriously impacting people’s health and well-being.
Stigma Silences and Hurts
The survey, which included over 2,600 people with diabetes across eight countries, found that 53% of people in Ireland living with the condition have skipped or missed a medical appointment due to feelings of shame or stigma. In fact, 80% of Irish respondents said they believe there is stigma associated with diabetes, and 36% have avoided sharing their diagnosis with family or friends due to embarrassment or fear of judgment.
“After more than two decades of working with people with diabetes, I’ve seen firsthand how deeply these misconceptions can affect someone’s motivation and self-care,” said Dr. Susan Guzman, co-founder of the Behavioral Diabetes Institute. “If we want to help people live healthier lives, we must start by addressing the bias that surrounds diabetes.”
Media Misrepresentation Adds to the Burden
The research also showed that 67% of Irish participants have seen inaccurate or misleading portrayals of diabetes in the media — whether on television, in films, or on social media. A striking 83% said they want a better representation of what living with diabetes looks like. Casual comments like “that’s diabetes on a plate,” or using the condition as a punchline, can contribute to harmful stereotypes and leave people feeling isolated.
To help address this and support people working in the media and the general public journalists to speak more positively about diabetes, the Diabetes Language Matters Ireland Working Group came together to develop a Diabetes Language Matters guide for Ireland. This group consists of people with lived experience of diabetes, academics, and healthcare professionals. This short Irish Language Matters guide aims to raise awareness of how improving communication with and about people with diabetes can make a difference in supporting people living with the condition. – https://www.diabetes.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/talking-about-diabetes.pdf
Words Can Harm – But They Can Also Heal
While the survey revealed how stigma can lead to silence and missed care, it also showed a hopeful path forward. Nearly 70% of respondents globally said that supportive words from others significantly help them stay motivated in managing their condition.
By challenging stereotypes and replacing shame with support, the Above the Bias film aims to start a much-needed conversation and encourage compassion, awareness, and accurate understanding of diabetes.
To learn more about Above the Bias, watch the film below and click here to view the research infographic.