533-P: Diabetes Related Stigma among Black and Hispanic Young Adults (YA) with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D)

Objective: Young adults with T1D of racial/ethnic minority status suffer adverse outcomes compared with White peers. Diabetes-related stigma (DRS) is common and may contribute to poor outcomes in minority YA, but further study is needed. Methods: We recruited non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic YA with T1D from pediatric and adult diabetes centers at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, NY for a qualitative study to explore YA lived experiences with T1D, challenges to diabetes self-management, and healthcare interactions. We conducted semi-structured individual interviews, which were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed for common themes until thematic saturation was achieved. We coded for DRS in YA responses using the Diabetes Stigma Assessment Scale (DSAS), which includes three domains for stigma due to having diabetes: 1) treated differently, 2) blame and judgment, and 3) identity concerns. Results: We included 41 YA participants for analysis (mean age 21 yrs, 68% female, 73% Hispanic, 27% Black, mean HbA1c 10.3%). Seventy-eight percent of participants (n=32) qualified as having at least one experience consistent with DRS. Of those, approximately half of participants had experiences consistent with one domain of DRS, nine participants with two DRS domains, and three participants with all three domains. Each stigma domain (treated differently, blame and judgment, and identity concerns) was represented equally among participants with DRS experiences. Notably, several Black participants mentioned that they experienced race discrimination from healthcare providers related to diabetes self-management and outcomes. Conclusions: In this sample of minority YA with T1D, DRS prevalence was very high and had some race-specific associations. Greater recognition of DRS and its contribution to poor outcomes among YA with T1D belonging to racial/ethnic minority groups is needed. Disclosure G. Crespo-ramos: None. M. Finnan: None. J. S. Gonzalez: None. S. Agarwal: None. Funding National Institutes of Health (K23DK115896)