Hi, I’m Christina Yap from Malaysia. I’m a carer for my brother, living with type 2 diabetes, and for my late father, who also lived with type 2 diabetes.
Being an advocate with the Blue Circle Voices network allows me to help bridge the gap between diabetes care and mental health. Over the years, I’ve seen how the emotional side of diabetes — fear, stigma and burnout — is often overlooked even though it affects health just as much as physical symptoms. These experiences inspire me to advocate for a kinder, more holistic approach to diabetes care. One that values both physical and psychological well-being.
As a lecturer and researcher working on metabolic disorders like diabetes and obesity, I study early biomarkers along with the mental health aspects linked to these conditions. I love turning research into education and community action so people feel empowered to understand and manage their health. In my teaching, I encourage future healthcare professionals to see diabetes through a human lens that listens, supports and lifts people up.
In Malaysia, the number of people between 20 and 79 with diabetes has grown from about 597 thousand in 2000 to 4.8 million in 2024. By 2050, this number is expected to reach 7.5 million.
By joining BCV, I hope to share insights from Malaysia and Southeast Asia and to work with others who believe that true diabetes care nurtures both body and mind.
“Over the years, I've seen how the emotional side of diabetes – fear, stigma and burnout – is often overlooked even though it affects health just as much as physical symptoms. These experiences inspire me to advocate for a kinder, more holistic approach to diabetes care. One that values both physical and psychological well-being. ”
