Whether you’re a dating apps veteran or a first-time swiper, online dating can feel like a minefield at the best of times.

And now our new research shows that 1 in 3 Brits are facing an additional hurdle in finding the one: health discrimination.

Last year, FreeStyle Libre conducted a study to investigate whether people who have medical conditions such as diabetes face bias in their dating lives. And the results were striking: 32 percent of people believe those with health issues are less attractive as romantic partners and 1 in 10 people living with a chronic health condition believe their illness has been a factor in them being rejected. In fact, 58 percent of dating app users living with a health condition say they are unlikely to disclose their health status due to bias and discrimination.

We coined this issue ‘discrimidating’ – rejecting someone purely for things they cannot help. But is this bias reflected in real-life scenarios?

To find out, we conducted a unique real-world experiment. We presented 1,200 single participants with a fictitious dating app to explore their preferences when choosing between dating profiles, which included profiles of people with diabetes. In the experiment, we found that men were 26 percent less likely to consider a woman desirable when she referenced diabetes in her profile, and 12 percent less likely to choose that woman as a potential match.

So how can we tackle this bias?

According to campaigner, broadcaster and journalist, Anna Richardson, raising awareness is key. She stresses that “With millions of people in the UK living with diabetes, it is imperative we work to reduce stigma and raise awareness about the condition.”

At Abbott, we’re dedicated to doing just this. We have offered to share these findings with several leading dating apps to help drive change, educate users, and reduce stigma around health conditions.

Commenting on the findings, George Rawling, founder of the popular dating app Thursday, which focuses on real life meet-ups and singles events, added: “Dating should be about connection and compatibility, not bias or assumptions. Research and initiatives like this highlight and challenge stigma, helping us make dating a more inclusive experience for all.”

Our mission at Abbott is to help people live a life that’s not defined by their condition. With innovative technology at our fingertips, we’re helping people with chronic health conditions to live their fullest, healthiest, and most active lives.

Disclaimer: The information provided is not intended to be used for medical diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your healthcare professional about your diabetes management. Individual symptoms, situations and circumstances may vary.

ADC-111171 (v1.0) 04/2025