Diabetes means 2,000 people in Wales die early (From Free Press Series)

Diabetes means 2,000 people in Wales die early

4:30pm Tuesday 5th March 2013 in News

ALMOST 2,000 people a year in Wales die early due to the effects of diabetes, according to new figures.

And the number of people in Wales living with Type Two (non-insulindependent) diabetes has risen to a new high of 167,000, with another 66,000 likely to have the disease but who are currently undiagnosed.

They are among a UK population of diabetes patients that has now topped three million, based on analysis by the charity Diabetes UK and Tesco of figures from GPs.

The figures have been published to mark the launch of a £10m fundraising drive by Tesco for Diabetes UK, and they will work together on a major public awareness campaign of Type Two diabetes risk factors. “All the projections suggest that the three-million figure will be a grim staging post on the road towards a public health emergency, and this unfolding tragedy is already putting huge pressure on the NHS and will have potentially devastating consequences for those people who develop the condition. But this is not inevitable.

“By identifying those at high risk of developing Type Two 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 are already getting the care and support they need, we can help them avoid the complications.”

For more information visit www.diabetes.org.uk