Britain at “tipping point of public health emergency,” warns Diabetes UK

11 Oct 2021 --- One in ten people in the UK will be living with diabetes by 2030, Diabetes UK has flagged, following new analysis that calls for government intervention. 

“If we don’t act today, hundreds of thousands more will face the life-changing news that they have Type 2 diabetes. We’re at the tipping point of a public health emergency and need action today to stop it in its tracks,” says Chris Askew, Diabetes UK chief executive. 

According to the data, if the government does not take significant action, up to 5.5 million people in the UK, or one in ten, could be living with diabetes in the next decade.

Furthermore, up to 17 million people, or one in three, could be at increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by 2030, unless the British government urgently invests in diabetes care and prevention, Diabetes UK says. 

“It doesn’t have to be this way – we know that with the right care and support, diabetes complications can be avoided, and cases of Type 2 diabetes can be put into remission, or prevented altogether,” Askew notes.

Diabetes costs the NHS £1 million (US$1.4 million) per hour.Tackling diabetes
The charity calls for the government to step in and improve access to weight management services, as nutrition is of the essence when it comes to Type 2 diabetes.

Furthermore, it is asking for more funding to increase access to preventative measures and support people diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes to go into remission. 

The prediction is based on analysis of statistics from Public Health England and The Association of Public Health Observatories.

“We don’t want our prediction to become a reality. What we need to see is the will, grit and determination from the government to halt this crisis in its tracks and improve the future health of our nation for generations to come,” Askew stresses. 

Currently, 4.6 million people in the UK have diabetes, with about 10% having Type 1 and 90% having Type 2.

Type 1 diabetes is genetic with symptoms such as increased thirst, extreme tiredness and frequent need to urinate, developing in days or weeks. Type 2 is mainly diet-related, with symptoms being less obvious and developing over years, which is why it can be up to 10 years before some people are diagnosed. 

A host of investigations have been shedding light on the link between diet and diabetes.A toll on the healthcare services
The charity notes that diabetes is a serious life-long condition that costs the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) some £1 million (US$1.4 million) per hour. 

In a bid to try and tackle Type 2 diabetes, the NHS has rolled out soups and shake weight-loss plans, offering diet replacement products for three months and support to promote exercise levels. 

The pandemic has further heightened diabetes concerns, as NHS research has shown that people with Type 2 diabetes are twice as likely to die from COVID-19. 

Importance of nutrition
A host of investigations have been shedding light on the link between diet and diabetes. For example, a study in France previously highlighted that higher consumption of ultra-processed food may be linked to a higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

Consuming the Mediterranean diet has also been found in research to reduce Type 2 diabetes risk by 30%. The diet is rich in plants (nuts, seeds, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes) and olive oil. It includes a moderate intake of fish, poultry, dairy, eggs, alcohol and occasional consumption of meats and sweets. 

Eating plant-based diets high in carbohydrates has also been shown to improve Type 1 diabetes, which is on the rise, increasing at a global rate of about 3 to 5% per year. 

Edited by Andria Kades

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