People in the Humber region and parts of Yorkshire are being encouraged to know their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes – by taking an online test, which takes just three minutes to complete.
Some 12.3 million people in the UK are at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. If left untreated, diabetes can cause blindness, kidney failure, limb amputation, heart disease, stroke and even early death.
Identifying the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes as early as possible is crucial so people can make lifestyle changes sooner to lower their risk of developing the condition. Around three in five Type 2 diabetes cases can be prevented if people maintain a healthy weight, eat well and increase the amount of physical activity they do.
People living in Humber, Coast and Vale – a region including Hull and East Yorkshire, North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire, Vale of York and Scarborough and Ryedale – are encouraged to visit www.diabetes.org.uk/risk to find out whether they are at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
Those people who are considered to be at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes should contact their GP surgery to find out whether they are eligible for the Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme – a free, personalised programme to encourage individuals to make small and achievable changes in order to live a healthier lifestyle.
Participants will receive support to reduce their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes in a number of ways. A dedicated health coach will support them to make positive changes to their diet and encourage them to be more physically active. As they progress on the programme, they will build on their dietary knowledge and their progress will be reviewed after six months and again at nine months.
Since its launch in July 2018, some 2,000 people across the Humber, Coast and Vale area have been referred to the Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme. Nationally, patients who have participated in the programme have lost an average of 3.6kg.
People aged 40 and over are also encouraged to get a free NHS Health Check to assess their risk of Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other conditions.
While Type 2 diabetes is largely linked to lifestyle, some people are more likely to develop the condition if they have an immediate relative who has diabetes, or if they come from black and minority ethnic (BME) groups. In addition, the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes increases as a person gets older.
Diabetes Prevention Week, which takes place between 1st April and 7th April, aims to raise awareness about Type 2 diabetes and increase knowledge about how to prevent the condition.
Alex Seale, Senior Responsible Officer for Diabetes at the Humber, Coast and Vale Health and Care Partnership, and Chief Operating Officer at North Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “Tackling Type 2 diabetes is hugely important for the Humber, Coast and Vale Health and Care Partnership as we want everyone in our area to have the opportunities and support they need to stay healthy and age well.
“I would encourage people living in the Humber, Coast and Vale area to visit www.diabetes.org.uk/risk to find out their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes – it takes only a couple of minutes to complete the online test. People in at-risk groups are particularly encouraged to complete the test.
“If the test indicates a person is at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes they could be eligible for the Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme. So far, more than 250,000 people nationally who were on the cusp of developing Type 2 diabetes have been referred to classes which offer advice and support on food, diet and exercise.”
People can visit www.diabetes.org.uk/risk to find out whether they are at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. For more information about the Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme visit www.england.nhs.uk/ndpp.