New data shows that an urgent intervention is needed in diabetes care and type 2 diabetes prevention to lower the number of people living with diabetes or prediabetes.
One in five adults in the UK now live with diabetes or prediabetes according to figures released by Diabetes UK
They say that there are now 4.6 million people in the UK who have a diagnosis of diabetes. This is an all-time high. This figure is up from 4.4 million people last year.
Additionally, an estimated 6.3 million people live with non-diabetic hyperglycemia, more commonly known as prediabetes, but some are not aware of this. If left untreated, prediabetes can develop into type 2 diabetes.
A further 1.3 million are living with undiagnosed type 2 diabetes.
This means that more than 12 million people in the UK, or one in five adults, have either diabetes or prediabetes.
They have written an open letter to the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer and the Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, to ensure early intervention in diabetes care and the prevention of type 2 diabetes are at the heart of the government’s plans.
As the government finalises its 10-Year Health Plan for England, this is the perfect opportunity to tackle this crisis head on they say
Colette Marshall, Chief Executive of Diabetes UK said:
“These latest figures highlight the hidden health crisis we’re facing in the UK, and underline why the government must act now. There must be better care for the millions of people living with all types of diabetes, to support them to live well and fend off the risk of developing devastating complications.
“With more people developing prediabetes and type 2 diabetes at a younger age, it’s also critical that much more is done to find the missing millions who either have type 2 diabetes or prediabetes but are completely unaware of it. The sooner we can find and get them the care they need, the more harm we can prevent.”
