Diabetes UK has released a grim report confirming that 5 million people in the UK are now living with diabetes, a major cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke and lower limb amputation. The charity warns that a combination of government inaction, junk food diets, rising inactivity and expanding waistlines has plunged the nation into a wholly avoidable public health emergency.
Around 8% of cases are type 1 diabetes, where the body's immune system attacks insulin-producing cells and cannot be prevented. However, about 90% are type 2, which is often preventable through lifestyle changes. Every week in the UK, diabetes leads to 184 amputations, more than 770 strokes, 590 heart attacks and 2,300 cases of heart failure.
Rising obesity levels have propelled the crisis, yet ministers have failed to take meaningful action. The government's 2020 anti-obesity strategy has been largely delayed, shelved or cut, and public health spending has been slashed. Even the long-promised ban on pre-watershed TV advertising for junk food has been pushed back to 2025.
The diabetes crisis is also a symptom of health inequalities, with higher prevalence in deprived areas. NHS integrated care systems are urged to prioritise diabetes in their action plans. Individuals can reduce their risk of type 2 diabetes by eating healthily, exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy weight. Some people may achieve remission through weight loss, but medical advice is essential.
