Diabetes stigma can come from all corners of a person’s life — whether it’s at home, at work and even in healthcare appointments. It can be defined as negative attitudes and beliefs about an individual or group because of their diabetes.

Studies suggest that stigma is associated with decreased self-care behaviours, higher haemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) levels, and higher frequency of diabetes complications in adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes (Eitel et al, 2024).