Know your risk with online tool or get checked at mobile testing van

Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Week begins next week (20 May – 26 May 2024) in the East Midlands and NHS health bosses are encouraging those over the age of 40 and people of Black and South Asian ethnicity over the age of 25 to learn more about diabetes prevention and to know their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by visiting the Diabetes UK online tool.

Around 90% people with diabetes have type 2 which can be prevented or delayed through being more physically active, eating healthily and managing their weight.

There are 772,683 adults with Type 2 diabetes in the Midlands, nearly 1 in 12 people, or 8.2% of the regional population. This compares with a 7.5% prevalence in England. In addition, over a million people in England have undiagnosed Type 2 diabetes.

Some groups are at higher risk of type 2 diabetes including: men, people of South Asian or Black ethnicity, people who are overweight and people with a family history of type 2 diabetes. Black and South Asian people have a higher risk of getting Type 2 diabetes after the age of 25, compared with those from a White background where risk increases after the age of 40.

In Nottingham, a diabetes health check van will be at Bestwood Park Church on 23 May offering mobile testing to local residents. Those attending can simply have a conversation about their risk with a clinician or have a finger prick blood test for early signs of diabetes. Also offered are blood pressure checks, BMI Checks and Lipid Testing. All of which can be early indicators of developing Type 2 diabetes. Next steps, if needed, will also be shared.

The health complications of getting Type 2 diabetes can be serious and life changing. These may include loss of sight, loss of limbs, increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease.

Eddie, who has been attending the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme with Xyla Health and Wellbeing, said he quit smoking and made changes to his diet after he was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes: “I have a big sweet-tooth and love cake and would always buy cake if I walked past a cake shop – the first thing I did was cut out sugar. For example, my breakfast which I was covering in sugar changed. For breakfast I now have fruit and Weetabix. I now have much smaller portions and much bigger portions of veg and if I snack, I eat fruit instead and have done away entirely with cakes.”

“My HbA1c was 42 and is now 39. I’ve lost 2 stone 1 ¼ lbs. My weight was 16st 7 ¾ lbs – now it is 14st 6 lbs. My waist was 125cm – now it is 115cm. I’ve gone down 3 holes on my belt and have had to buy new trousers!”

Professor Azhar Farooqi, Co-Clinical Director – Diabetes for the Midlands Cardiovascular Disease and Respiratory Network, added: “If you have, or suspect you may, have symptoms of diabetes or hypertension, get a blood pressure check and a blood test at your GP, or visit the mobile test site in Nottingham this Thursday. You can prevent type 2 diabetes by eating a healthy, balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and keeping physically active.”

Peter Shorrick, Head of Midlands and East at Diabetes UK said: “If you have symptoms of diabetes, i.e. weeing a lot, especially at night, being really thirsty, feeling more tired than usual, losing weight without trying to – and getting thinner, genital itching or thrush, cuts and wounds taking longer to heal, blurred eyesight, please come and visit the mobile test site in Nottingham this Thursday.

“We will also be giving out information to support self-management, and signposting people to key local support services including local prevention programmes and Talking Therapies Services in supporting people’s mental health.”

If you think you are at risk of type 2 diabetes and would like more information, please visit Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme, or, if you have any other concerns related to your health, please contact your GP practice.

Find out your risk of type 2 diabetes by using the Diabetes UK Know Your Risk Score at riskscore.diabetes.org.uk or by searching ‘Know Your Risk’.