Approaching 9% Of People In Yorkshire & Humber Now Have Diabetes

New data from Public Health England (PHE) reveals 379,000 people across Yorkshire and the Humber aged over 16 had diabetes in 2015, nearly 9% of the population in this area.

The new Diabetes Prevalence Model, produced by PHE’s National Cardiovascular Intelligence Network (NCVIN), estimates the number of cases of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes in England over 20 years to 2035

The model suggests that around one in four people who have diabetes don’t yet know and that means the disease is not being managed.  Diabetes can lead to serious complications including foot amputation and kidney disease, and is associated with an increased risk of stroke and heart attack. 

Based on current trends, the situation is going to get worse: by 2035, around 469,000 people in the region will have diabetes, an increase of around 90,000. Type 2 diabetes currently costs the NHS £8.8 billion each year and tackling the rise in the disease is not only important for individuals’ health, it is vital to the sustainable future of the health service

Ninety per cent of diabetes cases are Type 2, which is largely preventable or manageable by lifestyle changes, which also provide additional benefits on health and wellbeing. The likelihood of developing Type 2 diabetes is increased by being overweight (although family history, ethnicity and age can also increase risk)..

The Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme (NHS DPP) was launched by Public Health England, NHS England and Diabetes UK earlier this year.

The programme will help those at high risk of Type 2 diabetes to reduce their risk of developing the condition, by being offered a referral to an improved diet, weight loss and increased physical activity programme. The NHS DPP will have full coverage across England by 2020, when up to 100,000 people will have access to its services each year.

Leeds, North East Lincolnshire and Sheffield are among the first in the country to start offering this vital new service, building on the experience of NHS clinical commissioning groups in Bradford, an early pilot site.

Dr Andrew Lee, from PHE in Yorkshire and the Humber said:  

“While  the extent of the problem is greater than ever, the good news is that Type 2 diabetes is preventable. The NDPP puts people in control of their health by giving them the tools and information they need to make small changes to their lifestyles that can significantly reduce their risk of the disease and the potential complications associated with it like stroke and kidney failure.”

Stephen Ryan, Head of the North at Diabetes UK said: “These new estimates clearly show the scale of diabetes in the Yorkshire and Humber region and the huge impact on people living with the condition. Too often they 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 everyone in Yorkshire and Humber  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.”

David Black, Medical Director from NHS England in Yorkshire and the Humber, said:

“Type 2 diabetes in many cases can be avoided by looking after your health and making healthier choices, particularly about diet, exercise and maintaining normal weight. NHS England in its Five Year Forward View, outlines how it will use increased funding to help people avoid getting conditions like type 2 Diabetes.  It also aims to help those with long term conditions manage them effectively so they can live a full and healthy life, avoiding complications and hospital stays.”

Alongside the NHS DPP, there are other healthcare programmes aimed at supporting adults to live healthily. The NHS Health Check, provides health advice to 40- to 74-year-olds previously undiagnosed any condition. It checks circulatory and vascular health, the risk of ill health and provides advice and support to help lower risk and improve health.  Earlier this year, PHE launched One You, a campaign to support adults across the country to avoid future diseases caused by modern day lifestyles. It provides a range of tools and advice to help people take action on everyday behaviours such as eating too much unhealthy food or continuing to smoke, all of which are major contributing factors to lifestyle related diseases like Type 2 diabetes.