Fighting diabetes stigma

According to the Australian Centre for Behavioural Research in Diabetes, more than four in five people with diabetes have experienced diabetes stigma.

NCN Health dietician Caitlyn Cormick said diabetes was often misunderstood.

“When people hear the word diabetes they are confused at times on what it means — it's not a life sentence,” she said.

“Touching base regularly with a diabetes educator and a dietician is a great way to manage the condition.”

Ms Cormick said there were many ways to manage diabetes to prevent complications.

“Checking your own blood glucose levels helps us to see patterns to get people on the right track,” she said.

“People with high blood glucose levels will feel fatigued and it can effect kidney and eye function, as well as feet and toes.

“It is a burden to be living with a chronic condition and when people are diagnosed they might feel alone but talking with your GP will help share that load.”

Ms Cormick said diabetes management was about healthy eating rather than cutting out certain foods entirely.

“The community needs to be open-minded and know that everyone's management of diabetes is different,” she said.

Diabetes Victoria chief executive Craig Bennett said the blame around diabetes needed to be replaced with compassion.

“Some people have been blamed or shamed for having diabetes or diabetes-related complications,” he said.

“Others have been judged when they eat certain foods, check their glucose levels or inject insulin in a public setting.

“We believe that most diabetes-related stigma is based on a lack of understanding.”

In Victoria, there are almost 367,000 people living with diabetes who are registered with the National Diabetes Services Scheme.

According to new research by SiSu Health, the risk of developing the disease in Australia has increased across all age groupings between 16 and 75 since the onset of the pandemic.

SiSU Health managing director Noel Duncan said the data portrayed a concerning trend.

“In this National Diabetes Week, we are trying to highlight that in more than half of cases, type 2 diabetes is a preventable disease,” he said.

“By monitoring your health and heeding early warnings, you can actually take measures to improve your health.”

Those seeking medical advice can contact Cobram's community rehab centre on 5871 0900 or visit their local GP for a referral.