The Language of Diabetes Complications: Communication and Framing of Risk Messages in North American and Australasian Diabetes-Specific Media

Abstract

IN BRIEF Reducing the risk of diabetes complications requires the delivery of accurate and constructive information for people with diabetes to make informed self-management choices. This article reports on a study assessing the language and framing of risk messages about long-term complications featured in publications produced by North American and Australasian diabetes organizations. Findings highlight problems with the language, content, and framing of messages about risk of long-term diabetes complications presented by diabetes-specific media. These poorly communicated messages may be contributing to distorted perceptions of complications risk and diabetes distress and may interfere with optimal self-management.