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Download AudioA diabetes researcher says diabetes stigma is real and it can have significant negative impacts.
University of Auckland senior lecturer Anna Serlachius says Māori and Pasifika who get type 2 diabetes are often judged as are often judged as making poor lifestyle choices – but the reality is they are genetically more predisposed to getting to disease.
She says the stigma can be subtle but it does cause sufferers to hide or ignore their condition.
“One reason to make sure you take part in screening, and I think also importantly to know about the research that we’re doing so that you can protect your whanau and also think about how we can all play a role in ending diabetes stigma,” Dr Serlachius says.
Her research found one in three diabetics have experienced discrimination based on their illness.
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