International Consensus Statement and Movement to End Diabetes Stigma

Saturday, June 22, at 3:15 p.m. ET
Room W311
Orange County Convention Center

International Consensus Statement for Ending Diabetes Stigma—Background, Methodology of the Consensus Statement, and Overview of Recommendations for Health Professional and Researchers

Matthew Garza, BS

Director, dStigmatize Program,
The diaTribe Foundation

What is your presentation about?
Our presentation covers an extremely important topic in diabetes care–diabetes stigma, the negative social judgments, stereotypes, and prejudices about diabetes or about a person or group due to their diabetes. As members of the expert panel that helped author “Bringing an end to diabetes stigma and discrimination: an international consensus statement on evidence and recommendations,” we plan to discuss the methodology, results, and recommendations that resulted from that effort. My presentation, specifically, will discuss the aims, expert panel makeup, systematic search, and process for establishing consensus on this topic.

How do you hope your presentation will impact diabetes research or care?
Diabetes stigma has been shown to negatively impact the mental, physical, and social well-being of individuals living with this condition. It acts as a barrier to effective and compassionate diabetes care and a high quality of life. We hope that our presentation will bring greater awareness to the pervasive issue of diabetes stigma and empower audience members to address diabetes stigma in their spheres of influence, ultimately helping improve the lives of those with diabetes all over the world.

How did you become involved with this area of diabetes research or care?
In my role at the diaTribe Foundation, a small nonprofit focused on education and advocacy for people with diabetes, I have had the pleasure of launching and leading our dStigmatize Program. Our program seeks to address diabetes stigma through research, healthcare professional-focused initiatives, and by hacking our culture to shift the current societal narratives surrounding diabetes. This work means a lot to me; I grew up watching and helping my grandmother and uncle manage their type 2 diabetes, and only a month after starting at diaTribe my father was also diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, so this work is extremely personal to me, and I am honored to be involved in this space.