Charities call for more investment into type-2 diabetes prevention
Around one in 11 adults in Wales could be living with diabetes by 2035 if current trends continue, according to analysis by Public Health Wales
A Public Health Wales survey has found that one in five people in Wales, who have never been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, have made positive changes to their behaviour in the past year to cut their risk of developing the condition.
According to the latest Time to Talk Public Health survey by Public Health Wales, most people in Wales understand that type 2 diabetes is largely preventable, with 45 per cent saying it is very preventable and a further 42 per cent saying it is somewhat preventable.
PHW: "Diabetes is one of the fastest growing health conditions our nation is experiencing"
David Taylor, Transformation Director, Tackling Diabetes Programme at Public Health Wales, says:
"Type 2 diabetes is a serious health condition that can significantly impact quality of life and health outcomes.
"Unfortunately in Wales, it is one of the fastest growing health conditions our nation is experiencing.
More than 200,000 people in Wales are living with diabetes:
Around one in 11 adults in Wales could be living with diabetes by 2035 if current trends continue, according to analysis by Public Health Wales.
This would be an additional 48,000 people with the disease, and a 22 per cent increase compared with 2021/22.
Diabetes related hospital spells cost the Welsh NHS an average of £4,518 per spell in 2021/22, not including spells requiring amputations.
More than 200,000 people in Wales are living with diabetes, around eight per cent of adults, according to Public Health Wales.
Around 90 per cent of these cases have type 2 diabetes.
David continues:
“The evidence is clear: eating well, staying active, and maintaining a healthy weight are your most powerful tools for preventing type 2 diabetes.
"These don't need to involve dramatic overhauls – small manageable changes can make a real difference.
The Public Health Eales survey also highlighted the majority of people (86 per cent) are aware that being overweight is a risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes, many were not aware of other significant risk factors.
The report finds:
- 32 per cent of people being aware that having gestational diabetes during pregnancy increases risk
- 37 per cent recognising that being of South Asian, Black Caribbean or Black African ethnicity increases risk
- 42 per cent knowing that a history of high blood pressure, heart attack or stroke increases risk
Diabetes Cymru suggests a rise in childhood diabetes could be behind the increase of cases of Type 2 diabetes,
Cancer Research statistics show, in Wales, almost a quarter of reception age children are living overweight or with obesity.
They forecast that there will be almost as many people living with obesity as those with healthy weight in Wales by the 2040s, if current trends continue.
"Rising obesity levels are going to mean rising levels of type two diabetes."
Rachel Burr, Director of Diabetes UK Cymru says:
"Living overweight and living with obesity is a significant risk factor and a contributing factor to type 2 diabetes.
"It is very likely that the rising obesity levels are going on to mean that we're seeing rising levels of type two diabetes too."
In order to tackle rising cases of type 2 diabetes, the charity suggests a push into healthier living in Wales.
Rachel continues:
"We need to be making sure that as a society, we're addressing some of the the factors that are causing the rising obesity levels.
"We need to make sure that people are receiving the support and the information they need at the right time so that they can reduce their risk of developing type two diabetes.
"It's also important that everybody is able to understand and manage their own risk of diabetes."
The Welsh Government has been approached to comment.