Key results from the global Diabetes Attitudes, Wishes and Needs 2 study (DAWN2) which showed that one in five people with diabetes feel discriminated against because of their condition, and support from the broader community is scarce at the 73rd Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association (ADA). DAWN2 is a global Novo Nordisk initiative conducted in collaboration with the IDF, the International Alliance of Patient Organisations (IAPO), the Steno Diabetes Centre and a range of other national, regional and global partners.

These results highlight opportunities for improving diabetes care, education and community support by putting people with diabetes and their families centre stage. This study will be used internationally and nationally to facilitate dialogue among patient organisations, healthcare professionals and other key stakeholders to develop action plans for improvement of the lives of people with diabetes.

DAWN2 represents opinions from more than 15,000 people living with, or caring for people with diabetes in 17 countries across four continents. Discrimination is just one of a wide range of psychosocial indicators of diabetes care assessed in the DAWN2 study.

Family members and healthcare professionals surveyed as part of DAWN2, report similar beliefs. According to the study, one in five family members also believes that their loved ones with diabetes face discrimination. Among the diabetes healthcare professionals participating in the survey, one out of three were concerned about discrimination and said there was a “major need” for improvement in the acceptance of people with diabetes as equal members in society. Furthermore, the DAWN2 study revealed that the experience of being discriminated against due to diabetes is associated with emotional distress.

“Evidence suggests that even with the best modern therapies and care, the experience of discrimination can influence self-management, quality of life as well as clinical outcomes for people with chronic illnesses. The DAWN2 study results highlight surprisingly high rates of perceived discrimination and allow for an in-depth understanding of the nature of this discrimination and the consequences it has for health and quality of life,” explains Professor Mark Peyrot, principal investigator and chair of the International Publication Planning Committee (IPPC) overseeing DAWN2.

The DAWN2 study found major variations between countries in perceived discrimination, ranging from approximately 11 to 28 per cent for people with diabetes and 10 to 40 per cent for family members, suggesting that there are viable pathways for improvement and that countries can look to others for models to follow.

“Through DAWN2, people with diabetes and their families have been given a voice. In this day and age, no one should face discrimination because of diabetes and people with diabetes have the right to live full, active lives and have an equal role in society. We will use the results of DAWN2 to educate decision-makers to make changes that are desperately needed to improve the quality of life for people with diabetes,” said Sir Michael Hirst, president of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF).

Additional DAWN2 study results released during ADA highlighted significant opportunities for improvement across countries in relation to care, education, psychosocial support and community support.

The key results recently presented (data adjusted according to age and gender to reflect the general diabetes population in each country) includes: 13.8 per cent of people with diabetes had likely depression (ranging from approximately eight per cent in Mexico to 17 per cent in the United States and 20 per cent in Algeria); 44.6 per cent of people with diabetes had high emotional distress related to diabetes (ranging from approximately 21 per cent in the Netherlands and 22 per cent in the United States to 65 per cent in Algeria); over one-third (35.3 per cent) of family members reported a significant burden on the family related to diabetes (ranging from approximately 12 per cent in Mexico and 25 per cent in the United States to 60 per cent in France); only 48.8 per cent of people with diabetes had ever attended a diabetes education programme/activity (ranging from approximately 23 per cent in India to 74 per cent in the United States and 83 per cent in Canada); only around 23 per cent of family members had ever attended a diabetes education programme/ activity (ranging from approximately 12 per cent in The Russian Federation to 31 per cent in the United States and 40 per cent in Denmark).

Three scientific articles were recently released focusing on benchmarking countries on psychosocial indicators of diabetes care, as reported by people with diabetes, family members and healthcare professionals.

Novo Nordisk is a global health care company with its innovation and leadership in diabetes care. The company also has leading positions within haemophilia care, growth hormone therapy and hormone replacement therapy.