World Diabetes Day

World Diabetes Day (WDD) is the largest global campaign dedicated to raising awareness about diabetes, reaching over 1 billion people across more than 160 countries. Observed annually on November 14th, it commemorates the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, who, alongside Charles Best, discovered insulin in 1922.

This year's theme is "Diabetes and Well-being." Every day, millions of individuals living with type 1 and type 2 diabetes face significant challenges in managing their condition across different aspects of life—whether at home, work, school, or in social situations. They need to be resilient, organised, and responsible, which impacts both their physical and mental health. On World Diabetes Day, November 14th, let's prioritise well-being as a core aspect of diabetes care and take steps toward a better life for those affected by diabetes.

Here are some key statistics: 36% of people with diabetes experience diabetes distress. 63% report that the fear of developing complications affects their overall well-being. Additionally, 28% of people with diabetes struggle to maintain a positive outlook regarding their condition.

Every individual’s experience with diabetes is unique, so support should be tailored to the specific needs of each person. While I am not a medical professional, as a type 1 diabetic, I aim to share insights based on my personal experience to help others better understand how to support their colleagues in managing type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

Here are my suggestions (Diabetes UK being my source)

1. Make Reasonable Adjustments
Employers are legally required to make reasonable accommodations for employees with diabetes. These may include:

• Providing private spaces for blood sugar monitoring or insulin administration

• Offering flexible work hours or remote options

• Allowing time off for medical appointments

• Ensuring access to healthy snacks and meals

• Providing ergonomic workstations

2. Educate Yourself and Others
Understanding diabetes is crucial for creating a supportive environment. Employers can offer educational resources and awareness programs to inform staff about the condition and how to assist those managing it.

Fun Fact - My volunteering work with Diabetes UK has seen a huge influx of requests from educational centre's and schools to provide resources to teachers to educate them on basic Diabetes first aid. If this is something you’d like for your team at Next I’d be happy to reach out and provide some helpful information. 

3. Be Supportive
Engage in open communication with employees managing diabetes. Ask how you can support them and discuss their comfort level with sharing their condition with others in the workplace.

4. Recognise Signs of Hypoglycaemia (Hypo)
Hypoglycaemia occurs when blood sugar levels drop too low, leading to symptoms such as blurred vision, shaking, and disorientation. If a colleague experiences a hypo, offer food or drinks to help restore their blood sugar.

5. Promote Wellness Programs
Encourage healthy lifestyles through wellness programs focused on nutrition, exercise, and stress management. Such initiatives benefit everyone and can particularly help those managing diabetes.

6. Provide Emotional Support
Offer employee assistance programs that include counselling and emotional support for the psychological aspects of living with diabetes.

And for my last point…

Understanding the Impact of Diabetes in the Workplace

Managing diabetes at work may involve checking blood sugar levels, taking insulin injections, or taking breaks to regulate blood sugar. These activities can take some time, but they are essential for maintaining health. It's important to be patient and understand that after a high or low blood sugar episode, it may take time for someone to fully recover. However, this doesn't affect their ability to perform their job well. Many individuals with diabetes also experience performance anxiety, driven by a desire to manage their condition without disrupting their responsibilities. It takes the brain 45 minutes to recover from a hypo episode. Imagine experiencing that a couple of times a day if you’re having a bad Diabetes day. It takes a toll on us mentally, so please understand if you have diabetics in your team that this is what can happen sometimes. 

By adopting these practices, employers and colleagues can create a more inclusive and supportive environment for individuals living with diabetes, ensuring they have the accommodations and understanding needed to succeed in the workplace.

If you’d like to join a safe space and you have Diabetes then the ABLE team is here for you.