Beta Cell Syndrome a.k.a. Type 1 Diabetes

Back in May 2011 I blogged about encouraging the media to be Type Specific when it comes to diabetes and over the course of the Diabetes Action’s paediatric diabetes campaign I thought there was some progress in this area.

I have to say that both Diabetes Action and the Diabetes Federation have been really considerate and careful to be type specific since that campaign’s launch. Well done to them.

However with the launch of safe food’s “Stop the Spread” campaign this progress has taken a huge fall backwards.  This campaign has really maximised its exposure, its broadcast on local and national radio as well as national television.

The ad states, “It is well known that carrying excess weight around the tummy is linked to an increased risk of chronic diseases such diabetes and heart disease and more recently cancer. By measuring our waist, we can each get an early warning about our weight and begin to take steps to address it”, Dr. Cliodhna Foley-Nolan, Director, Human Health & Nutrition, safefood.

The campaign’s message is everywhere and because they overlooked one minor detail stating “diabetes” instead of “Type 2 Diabetes” we are back to square one to educate the general public about the differences between the types of diabetes.

I’m just wondering if it would be more beneficial to rename Type 1 Diabetes altogether – we would avoid this confusion and it’s been done before when the name was changed from Juvenile Diabetes.

We could call it “Beta Cell Syndrome” or something similar that does not have any affiliation to sugar or obesity.