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Patient Partner Perspective: Understanding Privilege and its Impact on Health Equity

Posted date: July 18, 2024

By Terri MacDonnell

This is part 5 in our series of blog posts written by Patient Partners about their experience at the Diabetes Action Canada Workshop.

About Terri: Terri MacDonnell has been a T1D for going on a pump and sensor 2 years ago. Feeling going on a pump and sensor 2 years ago. Feeling isolated during the pandemic, she heard about DAC from her endocrinologist and quickly joined the organization to feel a sense of contribution and connection. She lives in Toronto with he rescue bunny Lola and forages for her favourite weeds daily to stay active and help keep stress in check.

Privilege – it’s not about what you have, but what you haven’t had to go through.

Recently, someone told me that I couldn’t understand what they were going through due to my “privilege.” Of course, their remark stung – and the only response I could mutter back was a feeble “Well, do all of your organs work?” But their flippant comment stayed with me the rest of the day. This person didn’t know me, and they certainly didn’t know what we, as people with diabetes, go through every day in trying to live healthy, normal lives. I wasn’t looking for sympathy; I only wanted to express that you can’t base your assumptions or opinions on visible criteria alone.

Sometimes privilege means never having to pay out-of-pocket expenses for pump supplies, counting carbohydrates before meals, or wondering if you’re going to suffer from retinopathy due to poor decisions you made earlier in life.

This concept of privilege was thoughtfully explained by the Indigenous Patient Circle during DAC’s Workshop Event – Cultivating Equity: Advancing Anti-Racism in Healthcare. Their team provided the best definition of privilege I’ve heard: “It’s not about what you have, it’s about what you haven’t had to go through.” This group then brought their unique perspective of how they, as Indigenous people, are treated differently in our Canadian healthcare system. They often feel like they have done something wrong to be suffering from diabetes and feel like they are talked down to based on their lack of medical knowledge or education.

The anti-racism discussion also included a comprehensive graphic outlining the different kinds (or segments) of racism that people face – many of which I hadn’t fully contemplated. Often, people only address the physical characteristics when making assumptions about someone’s power or privilege. This wheel clearly shows not just the types of advantages people have but also the degree of power or marginalization that comes from having those specific traits.

When it comes to healthcare, communication is often directed towards those who are considered to have the most power. Even at the community level, healthcare providers often lack the tools or language needed to help marginalized individuals understand their conditions and treatment options. Plus, the cost and access to medications and therapies best serve those who have full health insurance and who live in large city centres.

While we’re moving towards a more equitable society, we still have a way to go in providing the same services to everyone in Canada. How can we properly empower all people with diabetes when we’re still being labeled by our individual levels of power and privilege? This DAC workshop shed light on this topic and how we can dissolve the stigmas that hold people back from making real progress.

Associated Programs

Indigenous Peoples Health

Building programs and capacity in the respectful engagement of Indigenous people in patient-oriented research.

Patient Engagement

Engaging people with diabetes as active partners in health research to maximize the benefits of research for all communities.

Related Podcasts

Diabetes and Homelessness

Episode one features an interview with Patient Partner Anna DiGiandomenico and University of Calgary researcher Dr. David Campbell who discuss their work on a research program that’s shedding light on the impact of homelessness on diabetes treatment and care.

Respectful engagement of Indigenous Peoples in patient-oriented research

Respectful engagement of Indigenous Peoples in patient-oriented research

Improving Access to Eye Screening for Newcomers to Canada

Often newcomers don’t know about access to eye screening, or there are cultural or other barriers that aren’t being addressed. But early detection of diabetic retinopathy can save sight and have a huge impact on the overall health of a person.

Today’s guests want to make sure those barriers are overcome. Host Krista Lamb talks to Dr. Joyce Dogba from the University of Laval and Patient Partner Pascual Delgado about their work on the Diabetes Action Canada Immigrant Patient Circle and on reducing barriers to care for all.


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What Can They Teach Me About Anti-Indigenous Racism in Healthcare? Lots!

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