3 million Brits diagnosed with diabetes

New figures from charity Diabetes UK show that the number of people diagnosed with diabetes in the UK has hit a record high of 3 million.
The statistics reveal that 4.6% of the population now suffer from diabetes, with some 132,000 people diagnosed with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes in the last year alone.
In addition, a further 850,000 are believed to have undiagnosed type 2 diabetes, while an estimated 7 million people are thought to be at high risk of developing the metabolic condition, which is strongly linked to obesity and unhealthy lifestyle.
Diabetes UK warns that unless urgent action is take, the UK’s diabetes population will continue to soar, putting even more pressure on the NHS.
Chief executive Barbara Young said: “We are hugely concerned that the number of people diagnosed with diabetes has reached 3 million for the first time and there is no reason to think this will mark the end of what has been a rapid rise in the condition.
“Instead, all the projections suggest that the figure will be a grim staging post on the road towards a public health emergency.
“But this is not inevitable. By identifying those at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes, we can ensure they start getting support to make the kind of lifestyle changes that can help prevent it. And by making sure people who have type 1 or type 2 diabetes are already getting the care and support they need, we can help them avoid the devastating complications diabetes can cause.”
To help Diabetes UK’s in their efforts to tackle and raise awareness of the disease, supermarket giant Tesco has announced that it aims to raise £10m for the charity . The money will go help fund ground-breaking research for a type 1 diabetes vaccine, as well as the largest-ever public awareness campaign on type 2 diabetes risk factors.