Leicester becomes first UK city to join global diabetes programme

A global campaign to raise awareness of and prevent type 2 diabetes has come to Leicester, making it the first UK city to join the programme.
The Cities Changing Diabetes initiative is a partnership between the Leicester Diabetes Centre, the pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk and stakeholders from across Leicester.
Leicester is only the third European City to join the campaign, alongside Rome and Copenhagen. The other cities involved are Housto, Johannesburg, Mexico City, Shanghai, Tianjin and Vancouver, all working towards tackling the increasing diabetes rates around the world. The partnership was formally launched on Tuesday 1 May at a special event in Leicester.
It is hoped the participating cities within the programme will increase awareness and community engagement as part of a drive to reduce the burden of urban diabetes. The number of adults in Leicester with type 2 diabetes has risen by 33% in the last five years, according to new NHS Digital figures.
However, more and more clinical studies are revealing how beneficial eating a healthy diet can be in reversing type 2 diabetes, with thousands of users on our Low Carb Program coming off their type 2 diabetes medication altogether after cutting down on sugar and processed food and instead eating real food and healthy fats.
Professor Davies CBE, Professor of Diabetes Medicine at the University of Leicester, said: “It was a huge honour to be announced as the first UK city to participate in this global programmen, which we believe will […] give the people in the city access to the best possible outcomes when it comes to preventing and treating type 2 diabetes.”
Professor Khunti, Professor of Primary Care Diabetes and Vascular Medicine at the University of Leicester, said: “Working alongside the other global cities gives us an excellent opportunity to join forces in sharing solutions and driving positive action forward to fighting the worldwide diabetes epidemic.
“The fact that the number of adults living with diabetes in Leicester has increased by more than 30% in just five years should not be ignored and indicates that something needs to be done urgently. Type 2 diabetes represents a significant challenge, especially in our multi-ethnic city, but a challenge we are committed to meeting.”