NHS DIABETES PREVENTION PROGRAMME
There are two main types of diabetes – Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes is far more common than Type 1. In the UK, around 90% of all adults with diabetes have Type 2.
Every two minutes someone finds out that they have Type 2 diabetes.
There are 3.9 million people diagnosed with diabetes in the UK.3 This figure has more than doubled in the last 20 years. If current trends persist, 1 in 10 people will develop Type 2 diabetes by 2035.
Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body either doesn’t produce enough insulin or the insulin it does produce doesn’t work properly (insulin resistance). It can be a combination of both.
Diabetes can cause serious long-term health problems. It’s a leading cause of vision loss in people of working age. It’s also responsible for most cases of kidney failure and lower limb amputation (other than accidents).
People with diabetes are at least twice as likely to develop heart disease or have a stroke than those without diabetes. It’s therefore essential to be diagnosed as early as possible because Type 2 diabetes is likely to get worse if left untreated. Early diagnosis and treatment may also reduce the risk of developing complications later on.
It’s very important that you find out if you are at high risk of Type 2 diabetes so you can get support to lower your risk.
You may also be eligible to sign up for your free local Healthier You NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme.
There are several risk factors for Type 2 diabetes, some of which can’t be changed. The risk of Type 2 diabetes can be reduced by getting support to lose weight (where appropriate), getting more physically active and eating healthy food. Furthermore, the risk of COVID-19 related in-hospital death is doubled by Type 2 diabetes. Diabetes is found in nearly one third of people who die with COVID-19.
Watch the video featuring Dr Martin Longley, a Dorset GP here.
Leaflets are available in different languages as follows: