Diabetes stigma and discrimination refer to the negative social judgments, stereotypes, prejudice about, and prejudicial treatment of a person or group due to diabetes. In 2010, the International Diabetes Federation acknowledged the occurrence and consequences of diabetes stigma and discrimination in its 10-year Global Diabetes Plan, calling for immediate action to “stop discrimination against people with diabetes”.
Subsequently, mounting scientific evidence has demonstrated the pervasive occurrence of diabetes stigma and its harmful impacts. However, interventions to reduce diabetes stigma remain under-investigated, and implementation is rare. Responding to a call for collective leadership and action, an international panel achieved consensus on the evidence and recommendations for ending diabetes stigma and discrimination. In this article, we summarise the consensus process and outcomes, and draw attention to how health professionals may shape or reinforce diabetes stigma, which can have harmful impacts. Importantly, we highlight the tangible opportunities open to health professionals to reduce diabetes stigma within healthcare settings, and the potential for such initiatives to redress negative societal narratives around diabetes.
History
Journal
Australian Diabetes Educator
Volume
27
Open access
No
Publication classification
C3 Non-refereed articles in a professional journal