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.1
Just avoid dessert.
The myths we believe
The memes we post
The things we say
They don't just hurt.
They harm.
Aoife
Takahiro *
Ken
Daniel
Jennifer
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.
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.2 Moderating sugar is a healthy strategy for everyone.3
While people with diabetes do need to monitor their sugar, that doesn’t mean it’s off limits.2 Moderating sugar is a healthy strategy for everyone.3
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 weight management and a healthy, active lifestyle is recommended for those living with it.4
There is no cure for diabetes, but weight management, and a healthy, active lifestyle is recommended for those living with it. 4
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.5
The exact cause of diabetes is unclear. Multiple complex factors lead to its development, including genetics, nutrition, environment, sleep and stress.5
Nearly
7 out of 10
People with diabetes believe there’s stigma associated with the condition.1
Nearly
1 out of 4
People with diabetes avoid sharing their diagnosis due to fear of stigma.1
4 out of 10
People with diabetes have skipped or missed doctor’s appointments due to fear of stigma.1
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
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.1 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
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.
For years, we’ve supported the work of various advocacy organizations to bring awareness to diabetes stigma and prejudice. Abbott also launched an initiative in the UK, called Let’s Change Perspective, to tackle diabetes stigma by changing how people talk about diabetes.
Above the Bias builds on the work that came before us with a goal to reach broader audiences.
*Abbott Employee
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