How do you solve a problem that is widely underestimated, often perpetrated by people unknowingly, and deeply entrenched in our society? You laugh at it! No, seriously. For far too long, diabetes stigma has been performing a one-man show – and not a very good one. Nearly 80% of adults living with diabetes report experiencing […]
Healthcare providers can transform people’s relationship with movement As a healthcare provider, understanding the barriers that people with type 1 diabetes (T1D) face when engaging with physical activity (PA) can fuel better conversations that transform people’s relationship with movement.1,2 Whether it’s daily forms of movement like getting steps in while cleaning or structured activities like […]
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Coaches and trainers can help people with diabetes thrive Diabetes is a chronic condition that impacts how the body uses blood sugar (also called blood glucose) for energy. There are two common types: type 1 diabetes (T1D), where the body cannot make insulin, a hormone required to use blood sugar for energy, and type 2 […]
Read More… from Let’s Talk: Diabetes Stigma in Sports, for Coaches & Trainers
Understand the impact and signs of diabetes distress Nobody describes living with diabetes as a walk in the park. It is, however, very common to hear people with diabetes describe the condition as overwhelming, frustrating, and exhausting. Diabetes distress is defined as the worries, concerns and fears among individuals with diabetes and their family members […]
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 […]
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Diabetes stigma refers to negative social judgments, stereotypes, and prejudices about diabetes or about a person due to their diabetes.1 Research shows that people who experience stigma also experience worse mental, physical, and social health outcomes.1 How we discuss diabetes in professional settings, even when people with diabetes aren’t in the room, can make a […]
Read More… from Let’s Talk: Diabetes Stigma in Marketing and Communications
Mental health and well-being are essential aspects of diabetes care. Regardless of your specialty as a healthcare provider, being prepared to discuss mental and behavioral health and proactively screening for concerns is key to facilitating improved outcomes.1 Discussions about diabetes and mental health can often feel stigmatizing, complicated, and even harmful to a person’s relationship […]
Diabetes is a chronic disease. But people with diabetes also experience an equally chronic problem: stigma. Underlying this stigma against diabetes are shared, deeply held assumptions about health that are embedded in American culture. The most common and problematic assumption is that health is primarily a matter of individual responsibility. In other words, health is […]
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 […]
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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 […]