For Professionals Research
Donate
a man wearing pyjamas stands in front of an open fridge debating his food choices

Understanding Diabetes Stigma

Diabetes stigma is real, and it hurts.

How stigma affects everyday life
|

Stop the stigma. Learn the truth.

Every day, people living with diabetes face blame, judgement and misconceptions about their condition. This Diabetes Awareness Month, let’s challenge those misconceptions, learn the truth and build greater understanding for everyone affected by diabetes.

Learn the truth. Share what you learn.
Help stop diabetes stigma.

a person checking the blood sugar level of a child

Did you know?


A 2025 survey* found that misconceptions about diabetes remain widespread:
48%
believe diabetes is caused by consuming too much sugar.

30%
believe most people who develop diabetes have only themselves to blame.

52%
believe diabetes affects a person’s ability to do certain jobs.

These misconceptions have real consequences, but knowing the facts can change the conversation. Diabetes is not caused by one food, behaviour or personal failing. It does not automatically limit what someone can achieve at work or in life.

Learn the facts

How stigma affects everyday life

On top of managing their health every day, people living with diabetes often face assumptions about what caused their condition, how they manage it and what they can or cannot do.

a large group of diverse adults sit around a table listening to a person talk

Stigma can appear in everyday conversations and in health care, schools, workplaces, communities and public policy.

For many people living with diabetes, stigma is not just something they encounter. It can shape how safe they feel asking for help, talking about their condition and accessing care.

Nearly 90% of people living with type 1 diabetes and nearly 70% of people living with type 2 diabetes experience shame and blame for having diabetes.**

These experiences can affect mental health, confidence, relationships and day-to-day diabetes management.

What you can do today

Everyone can help reduce diabetes stigma. Small actions can lead to more understanding and supportive conversations. The truth: People do not “give themselves” diabetes.

Its causes are complex and may include genes, family history, ethnic background, environmental influences and lifestyle factors. Regardless of type or cause, everyone living with diabetes deserves dignity, understanding and access to support.

  • Pause before you assume. Diabetes has many contributing factors, and every person’s experience is different.

  • Listen to lived experience. Let people living with diabetes lead the conversation about what support looks like.

  • Choose words with care. Avoid language that blames, shames or reduces someone to a diagnosis.

  • Share facts, not myths. Help correct misinformation when you encounter it.

 

Resources to help stop stigma

Learning is a powerful first step. Download and share resources that can help you recognize diabetes stigma, challenge misinformation and support better conversations in your community.

a man wearing pyjamas stands in front of an open fridge debating his food choices

Stop the Stigma Tips

Shareable social graphic
Pause before you assume. Listen to lived experience. Choose words with care. Share facts, not myths.

View / Download image [PNG]
two young women cooking in a kitchen

How to be a Diabetes Ally

Advice for loved ones
Here are some of our top tips for being a supportive ally to those living with diabetes.

View / Download document [PDF]
 

Be part of the change

Changing the conversation starts with each of us.

Together, we can create lasting change. Change the Conversation is Diabetes Canada’s initiative to address the language, beliefs and behaviours that contribute to diabetes stigma. By replacing blame and judgement with understanding, respect and support, we’re helping create a more inclusive future for everyone affected by diabetes.

 Learn more 

 

Real stories. Real impact.

Hear from people across Canada about how diabetes stigma affects everyday life and how understanding and support can make a difference. Explore their stories to see beyond the myths and learn from lived experience.

smiling young woman with auburn hair is wearing a fun outfit with red accessories

Taylor Efford's Story

Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at 25, the actress, comedian and influencer is challenging stigma, making medical devices visible and speaking openly about the harder days.

Learn more
a woman wearing a bright orange dress is standing outdoors holding a microphone

Geetika Bhardwaj’s Story

Geetika Bhardwaj has navigated three different diabetes diagnoses – gestational diabetes, prediabetes and type 2 diabetes – and throughout her experiences, she has heard all kinds of comments:

Read more
an unhappy bearded man with wounds on his face looks at the camera

Dr. David Campbell's Story

A Calgary research team is putting lived experience at the centre of diabetes care and finding new ways to tackle stigma, improve access to care and change how diabetes research is conducted.

Read more
a young woman is sitting down and wearing a mask while surrounded by plants

Ashley Keenan's story

Ashley Keenan's question was simple: if our understanding of type 2 diabetes has evolved, why does so much shame still surround it?

Read more
Every  3 minutes minutes one person is diagnosed with diabetes.
More than  4 million people are diagnosed with diabetes in Canada.
a woman sitting with a young girl are both smiling while looking at a laptop

Find support, information and community

Whether you are living with diabetes, supporting a loved one or looking to learn more, Diabetes Canada is here to help.

  • Connect with others through Diabetes Canada Connect, our free online peer community.
  • Visit diabetes.ca for trusted information, educational resources and practical tools.
  • If you have questions or need support, contact our confidential 1-800-Banting (226-8464) information and referral helpline.

No matter where you are on your journey, you can find support, guidance and a community that understands.

Sponsors

Abbott
Sanofi
Lilly
Novo
Manulife
Rexall
Shoppers
Dexcom
Specsavers
Pharmasave
 
 
 

*Source: 2025 Nanos poll conducted for Diabetes Canada, released October 2025.
**Source: The Social Experiences of Living with Diabetes in Canada report, 2024.