World Diabetes Day to raise awareness about diabetes in the workplace
By David Yin, Local Journalism Initiative reporter
World Diabetes Day on Nov. 14 is an opportunity to learn how to support people with diabetes across various aspects of their lives.
This year’s theme is “Diabetes and well-being,” with a campaign focus on “Diabetes and the workplace.”
Around 589 million adults live with diabetes worldwide, equal to around 1 in 9 adults. Almost half of all cases are undiagnosed.
Around 70 per cent of people with diabetes are of working age, according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF).
The IDF said that many people with diabetes hide their condition at work to avoid discrimination. This could not only impair their mental health, but also their ability to manage their condition on a day-to-day basis.
A 2024 IDF survey found that 79 per cent of respondents living with diabetes experienced diabetes burnout, which is the emotional burden and stress associated with managing one’s diabetes. Out of those who experienced burnout, around 75 per cent admitted to interrupting or stopping their treatment due to diabetes-related stress.
The survey also found that 77 per cent of respondents have experienced a mental health condition – such as depression and anxiety – because of their diabetes.
According to the survey, stigma and discrimination (58 per cent) and daily diabetes management (76 per cent) were two of the most common issues affecting respondents’ mental health, along with the fear of developing complications (83 per cent) and the fear of needles (55 per cent).
According to Diabetes Canada, examples of discrimination include being denied jobs for having diabetes, being fired due to a hypoglycemic – or low blood sugar – reaction, and refusing to provide accommodations, such as regular breaks to test blood sugar and eat snacks.
Both the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Ontario Human Rights Code forbid discrimination based on one’s disability. The Canadian Human Rights Act protects all federal workers, and the Ontario Human Rights Code protects all workers in Ontario.
Diabetes Canada advises people facing diabetes-related discrimination to educate their employer about their medical needs.
Markham Stouffville Hospital’s Adult Diabetes Education Centre said that living with diabetes can add additional burdens on top of everyday life. The department explained that providing access to resources, new treatments, community supports, and options for self-care can allow a person to thrive with diabetes.
The department added that diabetes awareness in Markham and Stouffville is important because both communities have many South and East Asian residents – two groups with a greater risk of developing diabetes – and may require additional cultural considerations for care.
The Adult Diabetes Education Centre said that it will continue to share facts, encourage healthy lifestyle choices, promote understanding, and wear blue to show support on World Diabetes Day.
“This day serves as a global call to action, improving education, prevention, and access to care for the millions of people living with diabetes,” said Cheryl Osborne, senior director at Oak Valley Health.
Diabetes occurs when a person’s body cannot make or use its own insulin to regulate blood sugar levels. Different types of diabetes exist, each with its own symptoms, causes, and treatment.
Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body cannot produce any insulin and generally develops during childhood or adolescence.
Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body can neither produce enough insulin nor use it properly. People over 40 with a direct relative with diabetes are at higher risk of having type 2 diabetes.
Gestational diabetes occurs when a woman cannot produce enough insulin during a pregnancy.
Prediabetes indicates blood sugar levels that are high, but not high enough to develop type 2 diabetes.
For more information on World Diabetes Day, head to worlddiabetesday.org.