Busting myths about diabetes

‘Don’t sugar coat Diabetes’ is the theme for Diabetes Action Month this month. 

It’s all about busting the myths that surround diabetes, so everyone has greater awareness and understanding of the condition. The hope is that with better knowledge there will be less judgement and stigma of people with diabetes.

According to the Virtual Diabetes Register  figures released in August by Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora, the number of New Zealanders living with diabetes is now 323,700, an increase of 95,700 people in just three years.

The Economic and Social Cost of Type 2 Diabetes report released in 2021 predicted that by 2040 there would be up to 430,000 people living with type 2 diabetes in Aotearoa. The new data shows the figures are tracking well above this prediction.

“We can’t sugar coat the size of the problem,” warns Heather Verry, chief executive of Diabetes New Zealand. 

“If we continue at this current rate there will be approximately 510,000 people living with diabetes by 2040, which is alarming. The prediction that was made in 2021 was one that none of us wanted to be right and now our worst case scenario is coming true, with a more than 90% increase in the prevalence of the condition,” she says.

However, that’s not the only thing concerning Diabetes New Zealand. The organisation is calling for more clarity around the data. While the rise in numbers is worrying, Verry stresses that the data is incomplete and hampers efforts to plan for effective care.

Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are distinct conditions that require different approaches in care, treatment, management and prevention. There are different types of diabetes just as there are different types of cancers.

"Without better data, we risk missing the opportunity to address the needs of those impacted, which is crucial for improving long-term health outcomes,” says Verry.

“Lumping different types of diabetes together creates stigma in itself, because not all types of diabetes are the same. Misinformation and confusion about the types of diabetes leads to a lot of judgement and that perpetuates the stigma,” adds Verry.

“Education and awareness play a huge role in breaking down this stigma which is why we have chosen to focus on busting myths and telling the truth about diabetes this Action Month. We can’t sugar coat the size of the problem any longer – real change requires real numbers.”

To see how you can support New Zealanders living with diabetes and their whānau, learn more about diabetes, find out your risk of the disease, and see what is happening for Diabetes Action Month click HERE.

Watch HPF’s webishop ‘Diabetes: Societal malady with individual responsibility’ on our Youtube channel.