The number of people living with diabetes in the UK has more than doubled over the last 20 years, new research has revealed today.
Figures published by Diabetes UK show 3.7 million people are living with diabetes in the UK now, compared to 1.8 million people in 1998.
The number of people diagnosed with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes has increased by almost 100,000 since last year.
The West Yorkshire city of Bradford has the UK’s highest prevalence of diabetes, with more than one in ten people living with a diagnosis. Richmond in London has the lowest incidence, with 3.6% of the population affected.
‘Diabetes is the fastest growing health crisis of our time; and the fact that diagnoses have doubled in just twenty years should give all of us serious pause for thought,’ said Chris Askew, chief executive of Diabetes UK.
Diabetes UK is calling for the Government to introduce stricter restrictions both on junk food advertising to children, and supermarket price promotions for unhealthy foods.
Mr Askew added: ‘We want the Government to recognise the seriousness of the growing diabetes crisis, take action to help those at increased risk, and help us turn the tables on this devastating condition.’
