Living with diabetes can transform a person’s relationship with food and nutrition. Whether someone is interested in using nutrition to help manage their weight, eating their favorite foods with the right insulin dose, or understanding how foods impact glucose levels, each individual will have unique priorities when it comes to nutrition guidance. Discussions about food […]
Having diabetes increases the risk of a number of diabetes-related complications. Finding ways to reduce a person’s chances of developing chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, retinopathy, or other complications is a key part of diabetes care. Complications are also not an “end-point” of diabetes, so supporting a long, healthful, and meaningful life for those living […]
The way we talk about diabetes, and the way we talk to people with diabetes, is often stigmatizing and judgmental. Our current diabetes language can show a lack of awareness and consideration, and may express conscious or unconscious bias. People with diabetes, their families, and people at risk of diabetes, deserve communications that are clear […]
In all cases, aim to use language that is neutral, nonjudgmental, and based on facts, actions, or physiology/biology. In addition, use language that is person-centered and encourages collaboration between people with diabetes and their entire care team. And finally, be intentional about avoiding words or phrases that indicate a value judgment or blame (such as […]
Do you have an editorial policy or style guidelines that include recommendations for language related to diabetes? If so: If not: What processes do you use to ensure that internal and external communications teams avoid stigmatizing language when talking about diabetes, and people with diabetes and prediabetes? Click here to download a PDF version of […]
Many health professionals are incredibly supportive of people with diabetes and skilled at delivering compassionate, person-centered care and treatment. However, studies show that people with diabetes experience implicit and explicit stigma from health professionals.1-3 What do we know? Unfortunately, implicit and explicit bias against people with diabetes is common among health professionals. In a study […]
There have been many innovations in the technology that people with diabetes use to monitor their glucose levels and deliver insulin in recent years. Continuous glucose monitors (CGM), insulin pumps, and automated insulin delivery (AID) systems have all contributed to helping people better manage their diabetes. However, conversations around diabetes-related technology and devices can sometimes […]
Whether it’s metformin, insulin, or newer medications like SGLT-2 inhibitors, GLP-1 receptor agonists, or dual agonists, there are dozens of helpful medications designed to help people with diabetes manage their glucose levels and reduce their risk for diabetes-related complications. However, conversations around diabetes medications, especially insulin, can be difficult and fraught with stigmatizing and judgmental […]
Each year, diaTribe hosts the Lightning Talks, a virtual event that brings leading researchers, advocates, and health professionals together to educating people and raise awareness around diabetes stigma. In 2020, diaTribe welcomed the CEO of the FrameWorks Institute, Nat Kendall-Taylor, who introduced us to the science of changing public perceptions through narrative creation and framing […]
The information published on this website is not a substitute for medical advice and should not be used to make decisions that change treatment.
We urge readers to consult with healthcare professionals for questions regarding their treatment and in all matters related to their health.