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At the Bermuda Diabetes Association, we know that it can be hard for people to live with diabetes and other chronic conditions. But no one should have to manage their health alone. Everyone can benefit from support and care from their friends, family and the community around them.
Sometimes, the language we use around diabetes might not be as supportive as we think. What we say to people with diabetes might not match what they hear or understand. It’s not just what we say or write: even non-verbal communication (like body language) can be interpreted and internalised.
It is estimated that over 14% of Bermudians have diabetes, and another 14% are at risk for developing diabetes. This rate is higher than all of the OECD countries. This guide aims to offer person-oriented language that can help our community members with diabetes feel more supported and make it easier for people who have diabetes to live their best lives.
Language directly affects our thoughts, feelings, behaviour and experiences. It can encourage or discourage us. Whenused positively, it can make people feel valued, supported and understood.But when used negatively, it can make them feel stigmatised, undermined and misunderstood.
According to a 2019 international survey from Diabetes Australia, the following words were found unacceptable to many people with diabetes: cheating (95%), victim (99%), sufferer (96%), good/bad (83%), consumer (95%), uncontrolled (75%), normal (84%) and compliant/non-compliant (72%). And evidence has shown that 25% of people living with diabetes found the word “diabetic” harmful. For people living with diabetes, negative language can worsen diabetes-related distress and affect their general well-being. Stigmatising language can affect their motivation to engage, seek help or use medicines or technologies. This can lead to complications and worsen their condition.
Awareness is the first step to ensuring our language is helpful and not harmful. Below are a few commonly used terms that can have negative impacts, along with suggested alternatives. By using these empathetic, empowering and person-oriented alternatives, you can help create a more supportive community environment for people living with diabetes.
| Try not to say… | Instead… |
|---|---|
High-pressure words like…
| Use low pressure words like…
|
Negative descriptors like…
Example: Michael is a diabetic. | Say:
Example: Michael has diabetes. |
| “Disease” | Say “Condition” |
| “Obese” | Say “has excess weight,” or “has obesity” |
“Good/poor control” | Try more concrete/specific language about what you’re referring to. |
“Good/poor control” “Well/poorly controlled” | Try more concrete/specific language about what you’re referring to. |
“Mild diabetes”/ “mild hypoglycaemia” | Say “diabetes,” “self-treated hypoglycaemia” |
| “Treating diabetes” | Say “managing diabetes” |
For more examples, check out this excellent language guide from dStigmatize.
Now in its 45th year, the Bermuda Diabetes Association is a registered charity that was formed to improve the lives of those with or at risk of diabetes. It works to raise awareness of, promote education on and encourage early detection of diabetes — all with the goal of empowering people to lead vibrant lives, irrespective of their health status. The BDA also houses the BDA Community Pharmacy, a pharmacy that is open to the general public and operates as a social enterprise, using its profit surplus to provide free medications to Bermudian residents with diabetes who have limited or no insurance.
Want to learn more about what to do and say to support people living with diabetes?
Check out the resourceson our website and consider becoming a Diabetes Anti-Stigma Ambassador.
Help us on our mission to end diabetes
in Bermuda!
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