Relatively few studies have examined the psycho-social impact of diabetes. The Diabetes Attitudes, Wishes and Needs (DAWN) Programme addressed this issue in a study involving people with diabetes from 13 countries. A key finding was that depression was much more common in people with diabetes than in those without the condition, and was associated with impaired self-management and quality of life. Other studies confirm that depression often impairs metabolic control in people with the condition. Although the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean were not involved in the DAWN Study, its conclusions apply to diabetes care in the region. In this article, Juan José Gagliardino looks at the application of the DAWN conclusions in a Latin American and Caribbean context.