Thread by @JasmineSchipp

Always great to see a familiar face at #ADA2022! @janespeight from the @ACBRD is presenting on diabetes stigma

Diabetes has an image problem: it is often represented inaccurately in the media e.g. stock images of sugary foods.

The language used about diabetes is often stigmatising too. People with diabetes can experience stigma from the media, but also family, friends and health care professionals.

Consequences include emotional distress, hiding their diabetes, and impaired self-care

#ADA2022

4 in 5 people with diabetes have some experience of stigma. Up to 20% have been discriminated against at work due to their diabetes.

#ADA2022

There's a long list of relationships between diabetes stigma and other outcomes: e.g. reduced self esteem, increase in depressive and anxiety symptoms, increase in diabetes distress

#ADA2022

So what now?

It's great to see organisations like @AmDiabetesAssn talk about the importance of addressing diabetes stigma.

We need more research into this area: into the impacts, what works to reduce it

We also need better campaigns. Few focus on diabetes stigma

#ADA2022

An exception is the brilliant @DiabetesAus campaign on diabetes stigma. #ADA2022

It's fantastic to see more countries taking up the #LanguageMatters movement and putting out language position statements.

You can find the @DiabetesAus language position statement here: diabetesaustralia.com.au/research-advoc…

#ADA2022

Finally, and most importantly, we need advocacy. The @diaTribeNews have put together a great resource at dstigmatize.org

Where you can learn more about diabetes stigma, access resources, and join the movement to end diabetes stigma. #ADA2022