ACBRD: Pioneering advances in behavioural diabetes care and research

The Centre’s research focuses on the experience of living with diabetes, including how people think, feel and act. This understanding of the psychological, social and behavioural aspects of diabetes is critically important for informing the development and delivery of new medicines and technology.

It’s exhausting, it’s constant … the issues, the difficulties, the day-to-day dramas, and the toll it takes emotionally and psychologically … is not understood, and I think it needs to be.” Adult with type 1 diabetes

As a partnership between Diabetes Victoria and Deakin University, the Centre is uniquely positioned to advise on, and respond to, the unmet needs of people with diabetes. The Centre’s leading research on challenges faced by people living with diabetes, including stigma and diabetes distress, have transformed the use of language and emotional supports for people living with diabetes.

Read more about 'Revolutionising Social Enterprise to Support Diabetes Research'

ACBRD objectives

• To be a national research centre for applied behavioural, psychological and social research in diabetes, creating knowledge and impact, and training the next generation of researchers and health professionals
• To be a national voice for applied behavioural, psychological and social issues in diabetes, raising awareness, and influencing policy and practice
• To be a national resource offering applied behavioural, psychological and social expertise for people living with diabetes, clinicians, researchers and policy makers

ACBRD Impact

• Development of the world’s first position statement on communicating with and about diabetes, and a leading voice in the now global #LanguageMatters movement, influencing international policy and practice
• Development of critical evidence-based training and resources for health professionals to support person-centred care in diabetes and emotional health, several of which have been adapted for use in other countries
• Development of evidence-based programs and resources to support people with the emotional burden of managing diabetes, including freely accessible digital tools
• • Development of a world-first research program on diabetes stigma, which has included leadership of an international consensus to bring an end to diabetes stigma and discrimination, calling on individuals and organisations around the world to take the Pledge to #EndDiabetesStigma. The Centre is now planning the inaugural Global Summit - a groundbreaking event uniting advocates and global leaders to create a roadmap to bring an end to diabetes stigma and discrimination.

Find out more about the ACBRD.