Survey suggests a lack of diabetes visibility on UK screens

A new survey suggests that people with diabetes in the UK believe chronic conditions like theirs are hugely underrepresented on screen.

Of the 1,003 people with diabetes polled by FreeStyle Libre, 92 per cent say they would like to see more people living with diabetes represented on screen, as currently only 14 per cent believe their condition is understood by others.

There are 15 million people in the UK who live with a long-term health condition. Diabetes is a complex condition that affects an estimated 4.8 million people in the UK, a number which has been increasing and could rise to 5.5 million people by 2030.

The findings from the survey suggest it’s therefore important for characters on our screen to paint a fuller picture of what it means to live with a medical condition so that people feel comfortable to speak up and get the help they need.

Worryingly, 54 per cent of people with diabetes believe characters on British screens portray their condition inaccurately – a sentiment felt stronger among people with type 2 diabetes (59 per cent); and two thirds (66 per cent) feel there is more work to be done to ensure current representation of diabetes and chronic conditions is an accurate reflection of UK society.

Those surveyed feel that the lives of characters with diabetes on screen – as seen in soaps like Emmerdale, Coronation Street and in films like Panic Room – have been strongly connected to:

• • Food and drink limitations (50 per cent) and disordered eating (24 per cent)
  • Frailty and vulnerability (29 per cent)
  • A reliance on only insulin to manage their condition (29 per cent).

And tellingly 87 per cent have been affected by the assumptions made through ways characters with diabetes have been negatively depicted. Resulting in responses that affect them:

• • Emotionally – people feel depressed, embarrassed, shameful, isolated, judged, self-conscious (30 per cent)
  • Lead them to close up and be less likely to speak to family or friends about their condition (26 per cent)
  • Make them feel frustrated and angry (24 per cent)
  • Mean they avoid social or work activities (23 per cent).

In addition, the vast majority of those surveyed (95 per cent) believe the media has a responsibility when it comes to helping to reduce stigma associated with diabetes; and 93 per cent feel diabetes and chronic conditions should be taken as seriously in the inclusion conversation as areas like race, gender and sexuality.

One in three people with Type 1 diabetes, 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.

Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre portfolio is the world’s leading continuous glucose sensing technology and is today used by more than six million people globally.

Neil Harris, Divisional Vice President for Abbott’s diabetes care business, West Europe, said: “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.”

He added: “With a poor understanding of the realities of life with diabetes, can come ignorance, hurtful comments and unconscious bias.

“Our 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.”

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 said: “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.”

She continued: “There’s not 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.”

She concluded: “I do think seeing more real people with diabetes like me 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.”