Diabetes cases in UK hit high of three million
11 March, 2013
London: Three million people in the UK have now been diagnosed with diabetes, says charity Diabetes UK, which warns this new high could create a huge burden on the NHS. Most of these cases are Type 2 diabetes, caused by the UK's ageing population and rapidly rising numbers of overweight and obese people. Another 850,000 people are thought to have undiagnosed Type 2 diabetes. The total represents an increase of 132,000 over the previous year. In 1996, the number of people diagnosed with both types of diabetes was 1.4 million; the latest figure is three million. Roughly 90% of these have Type 2 diabetes. It is estimated that, by 2025, five million people will have diabetes. Experts have previously warned that unless more is done to prevent Type 2 diabetes, and more help is given to those with the condition, the increase could have huge implications for public health. Diabetes UK said that every year in England and Wales, 24,000 people with diabetes died earlier than expected, a situation that was expected to get even worse without urgent action. The charity made the announcement of the new figures at the start of a public awareness campaign aiming to reach the estimated seven million people at high risk of diabetes. End.
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