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Health systems rely on the unpaid work of family caregivers. Nevertheless, demographic changes suggest a shortage of caregivers in the near future, which can constrain the long‐term care policy in many countries. In order to find ways to support family caregivers, a primary effort would be to estimate how much their work is worth. This paper estimates the economic value of long‐term family caregivers and how these costs would be shared by the health system, the social insurances and the cared‐for person in the absence of informal caregivers. We use data of 717 family caregivers of persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) in Switzerland. We implemented the proxy‐good method and estimated the market value of their work if performed by professional caregivers. Our results show that family caregivers in the sample spent an average of 27 hr per week caring for a relative for almost 12 years. This work, if undertaken by professional home care, has a market value of CHF 62,732 (EUR 56,455) per year. In the absence of family caregivers, these costs should be financed by the health insurances (47%), by the cared‐for person (24%) and by the social insurances (29%). It is in the best interest of the cared‐for person and of the healthcare and social systems to keep a sustained supply of family caregivers. One option is finding ways to recognise and compensate them for their work and make it less cumbersome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a growing body of scientific evidence that stigma represents a reality for many people living with diabetes ( PWD). However, little is known about the impact of experienced stigma. Against this background, the present study aimed to establish, by means of an in-depth consideration of the situation in Switzerland, whether and how experienced and perceived stigma impact the quality of life of those PWD affected. In this cross-sectional study, an anonymous paper-and-pencil self-administered questionnaire ( SAQ) was used for data collection. The SAQ drew on a qualitative elicitation study and was distributed in 2013 to the readers of a Swiss journal destined to people living with diabetes. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and structural equation modelling. The sample included 3347 people (response rate of 16%) with type 1 and 2 diabetes, aged 16-96. Respondents who reported higher levels of perceived stigma reported higher levels of psychological distress (β = 0.37), more pronounced depressive symptoms (β = 0.33) and less social support (β = −0.22). Higher psychological distress (β = −0.29) and more pronounced depressive symptoms (β = −0.28), in turn, predicted lower quality of life. Findings suggest that stigma should be considered as an additional predictor of quality of life in PWD. Therefore, healthcare providers should support PWD's fight against stigma. Especially, social workers are called to engage in advocacy to reduce discrimination against PWD and claim equal chances for them. They are also called to develop and implement interventions to correct stereotypes about PWD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]