People urged to prevent type two diabetes in Suffolk
Those at risk can refer themselves to their local NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme (NDPP)
People across Suffolk are being urged to prevent themselves developing type 2 diabetes.
According to data from the NHS, a third (33.2%) of people who died in hospital between March and May 2020 following a coronavirus diagnosis had a form of diabetes.
Xyla Health and Wellbeing, which provides the Diabetes Prevention Programme within Suffolk and North East Essex, thinks the pandemic has made it even more important to improve lifestyles.
Robert Rout, Partnership Manager with Xyla Health and Wellbeing, said: "Prevention of the disease can help control the outcome of both diabetes and reduce the risk and severity of Covid-19.
"Due to the strain on Covid-19 on primary care, we have ultimately seen a decrease is referrals into our system. There's not as many patients presenting themselves at GP practices, there's not been the volume of health checks completed over the last 12 months."
Due to the drop in referrals the health service is reminding people the Diabetes Prevention Programme is still available, even if referrals aren't made via a GP.
People can check their risk of diabetes by completing an online questionnaire, if they have a moderate risk or above they will be directed to the NHS website and invited to sign up to the programme.
The NDPP will teach participants how to prevent the disease by incorporating healthier eating, physical activity, problem solving, stress reduction and coping skills into their daily lives.
A number of goals will be set over the course of the programme, which can be as simple as parking your car a further distance from your destination and walking more.
Robert continued: "This is a sustainable and long-term project, this is not a six week programme, it is a nine month lifestyle inter-prevention service. One of the key elements that deems this a success is the ability for individuals to sustain their behaviour change.
"We look at behaviour change models and utilise those techniques around areas that have a direct influence on type 2 diabetes."
You can find out more about diabetes and your local prevention programme on the NHS website.