1 In 3 People Hide Their Diabetes

New research shows that young people are most likely to conceal diabetes fearing discrimination or bullying. One-third of people with diabetes are risking ill health by keeping their diabetes secret, according to a survey that found one in three with the condition had concealed it. Almost half felt not talking about their condition affected how they managed it, research by Diabetes UK found. Some respondents to the survey said they missed insulin injections or delayed testing their blood glucose to avoid drawing attention to themselves. Those aged 17 to 21 were most likely to keep the condition secret, while women were more likely to do so than men. More than a quarter who hid their diabetes said they feared discrimination or bullying, while they were also most likely to keep it from work colleagues. Reasons for doing so included not wanting diabetes to affect employment opportunities or people assuming the condition developed as a result of an unhealthy diet. Fear of social prejudice can make people unwilling to open up about their condition, which can have a profound effect on their health and well-being. Diabetes UK