Shocking number of people say they're being dumped due to a chronic health condition
Topics: Health, News, Sex and Relationships
Niamh Shackleton
Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Images
Topics: Health, News, Sex and Relationships
A shocking number of people feel like potential suitors turn them down for dates because they have a chronic health condition.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 129 million people in the US have at least one major chronic disease.
Chronic illnesses can range from diabetes and asthma, to Crohn's disease and various types of cancer.
While millions of people suffer with some kind of condition, you'd have thought that many people are used to their partners or dates having one - but a recent poll suggests that this isn't the case.
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Conducted by Abbott's FreeStyle Libre, the poll was put forward to 500 people in the UK with a chronic condition, and 1,000 individuals without one.
From the results, it was found that one in ten participants with a chronic condition felt that they were rejected by potential suitors because of their illness.
Meanwhile, 16 percent of the 500 people polled said they had been mistreated or discriminated against by a partner due to their health, with a further 10 percent saying they'd experienced condescending and demeaning behavior from their significant other.
As a result of this, 58 percent admitted that they're reluctant to disclose their health issues on dating apps out of the fear of rejection.
More specifically, almost half of participants with diabetes refrain from discussing their condition on social media.
While some felt it was simply no one else's business, others said they didn't want their diabetes to define them.
Backing the theory of people being discriminated against in dating world because of their chronic illness, one in 10 admitted that they hadn't pursued a relationship with someone who had one.
Speaking out on the disheartening results, Neil Harris, divisional vice president of West Europe for Abbott's diabetes care business, said: "Unfortunately, diabetes bias and prejudice are common in our society.
"By calling out 'discrimidating' the act of rejecting someone for something they can't help we hope to make it easier for people to discuss medical conditions, raise awareness, and erase stigmatising behavior."
Arguably, someone being put off the idea of dating you because you have a chronic illness is a huge red flag.
Elsewhere, experts have warned that other red flags you should look out for in an potential partner are someone who has addiction struggles; controlling or jealous behavior; love-bombing and communication issues, to name a few.