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LIVING
- as seen in soaps like Emmerdale,
Coronation Street and in films like
Panic Room - have been strongly
connected to:
• Food and drink limitations (50%)
and disordered eating (24%)
• Frailty and vulnerability (29%)
• A reliance on only insulin to
manage their condition (29%).
In addition, the vast majority of those
surveyed (95%) believe the media
has a responsibility when it comes to
helping to reduce stigma associated
with diabetes; and 93% feel diabetes
and chronic conditions should be
taken as seriously in the inclusion
conversation as areas like race,
gender and sexuality.
Help and inform?
One in three people with Type 1
diabetes (32%), who have wider
access to diabetes technology in the
UK, say they'd also like to see more
visibility of this technology and its
role in staying in control.
Neil Harris, divisional vice
president for Abbott's diabetes care
business in western Europe says,
"Technology is advancing so fast, and
living with some chronic conditions
today can be very different to how
it was a decade ago. It's important
therefore to normalise and reframe
how we see people living with
chronic conditions on screen, as they
reflect people in our communities. A
poor understanding of the realities
of life with diabetes can come
ignorance, hurtful comments and
unconscious bias. Previous research
has highlighted that the majority of
people with diabetes in the UK have
experienced stigmatising behaviour
which can negatively impact their
emotional wellbeing and lead to
worsened health outcomes as people
disengage with managing their
condition[7],[8]."
*The research of 1,003 Britons living
with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes was
conducted by Perspectus Global
during July 2024.
Take if from a Stormtrooper
Samantha Alleyne is an actress based in Hitchin, Hertfordshire. She's
appeared in Wonder Woman: 1984, a suspected witch in the BBC
comedy The Witchfinder and in 2014, she became the first-ever female
Stormtrooper in Star Wars. She says:
"I'll be honest, being a diabetic Stormtrooper comes with multiple
logistical challenges. When you are completely enclosed in a jumpsuit
and white armour, trying to find an insulin injection site is not easy!
Diabetes is part of who I am and I'm passionate about speaking up for
all people with diabetes to help drive positive change, not just in the
acting industry but more broadly among society too.
"I don't believe there's enough visibility of what it means to live
with diabetes today. When I have my FreeStyle Libre 2 sensor on show,
it opens up a connection with others. Unless you know someone
with a chronic condition like mine, people generally have a vague
understanding and associate it with chocolate bars and lifestyle
choices. But in reality, both types of diabetes are complex, and a
limited understanding and spreading misconceptions can be harmful.
"I do think seeing more real people with diabetes like me being seen
on screen could make a huge difference to so many people living with
the condition. And if chronic conditions are going to be the focus of
the character storyline, then it's time to change the narrative. Millions
of people in the UK live with conditions, and we too need to feel seen
and accurately represented."
Samantha Alleyne BTS EP 7.
Photo credit Lucasfilm Ltd
Samantha Alleyne BTS SOLO.
Photo credit Rob Bredow