Free NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme

Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Week is taking place from Monday, 20 May, to Sunday, 26 May, this year. It is the opportunity to raise awareness of Type 2 diabetes and to help people identify their risk and take action to reduce it.

Diabetes UK reports that there are estimated to be more than 4 million people living with type 2 diabetes in the UK, and millions more are at risk of developing the condition. An increasing number of these people are under 40.

Our current living environment is harming our health. Unhealthy foods are cheaper than fresh fruit and veg, we often don’t have enough space to exercise, and we are constantly seeing junk food ads everywhere we turn. These obstacles put people at higher risk of type 2 diabetes and increase their chances of life-changing complications.

The NHS can help! They are offering a free Diabetes Prevention Programme which provides tailored, personalised support to reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes. You’ll have the chance to learn about making small changes to encompass healthy eating, achieving/maintaining a healthy weight and becoming more active. This combination of lifestyle changes is proven to help prevent the disease.

To find out if you could be at risk of type 2 diabetes, please complete the following short survey https://preventing-diabetes.co.uk/know-your-risk-tool/.  Or, if you’ve had a blood test from a healthcare professional in the last 12 months that shows you have prediabetes, or you have a history of gestational diabetes, please talk to your GP about a referral to the programme.

You can find more information about the prevention programme on our website, including some personal stories from people who have participated in the programme.

Please share this programme with friends and families who you think may be of benefit.