This story was first published in digitalhealth.net
Diabetes prevalent in England, PHE figures show
New data from Public Health England (PHE) has shown that around 3.8 million people in England aged over 16 had diabetes in 2015.
Around nine per cent of the adult population is suffering with diabetes. Approximately 90 per cent of diabetes cases are Type 2, which can be managed by lifestyle changes and is largely preventable.
PHE has launched a new Diabetes Prevalence Model to estimate the number of adults born with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes in England.
The model identified that one in four people with diabetes are unaware of their condition. PHE warned that, if left unmonitored, diabetes can lead to serious complications, ranging from amputations, kidney disease and blindness.
The model has predicted that if trends continue 4.9 million people will have diabetes by 2035.
John Newton, chief knowledge officer at PHE, said: “The number of people with diabetes has been steadily increasing and tackling it is fundamental to the sustainable future of the NHS. Diabetes can be an extremely serious disease for those that have it and treating it and its complications costs the NHS almost £10 billion a year. Developing Type 2 diabetes is not an inevitable part of ageing, we have an opportunity through public health to reverse this trend and safeguard the health of the nation and the future of the NHS.
Given that Type 2 diabetes currently costs the NHS £8.8 billion, it argues it is vital to tackle the rise in the disease to ensure a sustainable future for the health service.
Chris Askew, chief executive of Diabetes UK, said: “These new estimates clearly show the scale of diabetes and the huge impact on people living with the condition. Too often people only find out they have Type 2 diabetes after they have developed serious complications, such as heart or kidney disease, or foot problems which can lead to amputations.
"Avoiding or delaying such devastating complications depends on people getting diagnosed earlier, so they get help and support to manage their condition well. We urge people over 40 to attend their NHS Health Check when invited. We also want people to take the necessary steps to find out their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, such as using Diabetes UK’s online Know Your Risk tool.”
Latest News
16/02/2024 - 12:56
Hammersmith and Fulham Council has created a new alliance intended to clean dirty air and improve residents' health.
16/02/2024 - 10:44
Two million more GP appointments a month are being delivered for patients compared to the same month before the pandemic as part of the NHS primary care access recovery plan according to new NHS data.
15/02/2024 - 10:26
The Welsh Government has provided innovation funding of £380,000 to support two projects utilising technology in domiciliary care.
15/02/2024 - 10:13
The new Scottish health secretary has met with frontline staff at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow.
14/02/2024 - 10:27
The North East London NHS Foundation Trust (NELFT) has appointed three new Executive Directors to the Trust Board.
Product Features
UK Building Regulations highlight toxic gas and smoke from layers of paint built up over multiple redecorations as a major cause of permanent ill health or death in a building fire.
Their concern rose with discovery the flame retardant paints most widely used paint along escape routes have been ones which to this day counter-productively use emission of heavy toxic gas to smother flames which rapidly spread along walls if layers of paint delaminate in a fire.
Supplier Profiles
Northwich’s Victoria Infirmary (VIN) Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) has enabled more patients
Adveco, the commercial hot water specialist, announces the launch of live metering of domestic ho
Latest Features
Sarah Greenslade, public affairs and communications officer at the British Parking Association looks at some of the problems and innovations in healthcare parking
It’s easy to assume that the comms team is there to handle press enquiries and the occasional social media storm – but the reality is that strategic communications can make a measurable impact across the entire organisation, from operational to financial, when done properly
