Social Aspect of Insulin‐Dependen Diabetes Mellitus in Japan

I investigated the problems of occupation and marriage which are two of the biggest obstacles of insulin‐treated childhood diabetics in their life in society. Diabetic Patients and Occupations: The enquiry which was conducted on 48 diabetics who participated in our Summer Camp for Diabetic Children revealed that both parents and children preferred and wanted to be engaged in medical and co‐medical occupations such as pharmacist, doctor, nurse, dietitian and so on. It also revealed that those high school students who were to choose their occupation in the near future picked out rather realistic occupations for them such as white‐collar worker, goverment officer, teacher and so on. Those who had higher education actually were engaged in medical and co‐medical occupations or such occupations which require special qualifications. Diabetic Patients and Marriage: Out of fifteen married insulin‐dependent diabetics, four were divorced simply because they were diabetics. The present research concludes that diabetics have to control themselves so that they are in such good condition as to pursue their life in society without being seized with any complications; and unless we medical staff provide positive aid for them, childhood diabetics will have much difficulty in attaining any independent life in society.