In 2018, NHS England published ‘Language Matters’, a handbook aimed at healthcare professionals to inform them on how the use of incorrect and stigmatising language can lead to further discrimination of people living with diabetes.
The groundbreaking document is already available in English and Spanish and has now been translated into French by Nina Tousch of Diabetopole and Léonor Marchand from Type1Family.
Many people living with diabetes across Europe still face discrimination in their workplaces and social lives. The first step we can take to end this is to educate ourselves on the correct terminology and language to use when speaking about diabetes. This will lead to more positive interactions and less stigmatisation of people living with diabetes.
It’s time to change the conversation and spread the word that language matters!
