World Diabetes Day November 14th 💙Diabetes, Well-Being & Work

Today is World Diabetes Day 💙

Know more and do more for diabetes at work.

This year’s theme, Diabetes, Well-Being & Work. Which reminds us, diabetes isn’t “just about blood sugar.” It impacts mental health, energy, work, relationships, and self-worth. Around the world, an estimated 1 in 9 adults live with diabetes or around 589 million adults worldwide – and many are trying to manage it quietly at work, between meetings, with limited breaks and under stress.

Diabetes care does not stop upon arriving or clocking in at work. It follows us…

What diabetes at work really looks like is needing to check glucose before/after a meeting or meals, taking medications and/or insulin on schedule, managing stigma about food and being “diabetic” all while managing fatigue, brain fog, mood changes and stress. And some days, lunch was skipped.

Living with type 2 diabetes can increase stress, anxiety, and depression. Especially when we feel like we have to hide what we are managing. We deserve workplaces that offer flexible breaks to check our glucose or eat, flexibility and normalization for medical appointments without guilt, having a private space for injections, finger pricks or CGM checks and understanding instead of stigma. We deserve a non-judgmental workspace with open conversations. Afterall, it all starts with a conversation.

This may be a good time to have a conversation with your medical doctor about reasonable work accommodations. Diabetes is a disability and you can ask your employer for reasonable accommodations in the workplace. A good resource for work accommodations is the American Diabetes Association, https://diabetes.org/advocacy/know-your-rights/common-reasonable-accommodations.

If you live with type 2 diabetes, please know: you are not a burden, you are not “too much,” and you deserve support. You deserve safety and compassion. Your needs at work and at home are valid. Taking a break to check your glucose is healthcare and self-care, NOT laziness. Asking for support is strength, not weakness.

If you’re an employer or coworker: Your empathy can change someone’s day—and their health. By asking, one simple question, you can change everything: Is there anything you need to help manage your health at work?

To everyone living with diabetes: I see you. Your health matters every day of the year.