Diabetes Prevention Week (26th May-1st June 2025)
Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Week begins 20 May in the West Midlands and NHS health bosses are encouraging those over the age of 40 and people of Black and South Asian ethnicity over the age of 25 to learn more about diabetes prevention and to know their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by visiting the Diabetes UK online tool.
As part of Diabetes Prevention Week (26th May-1st June 2025), there are Patient Information Sessions to give patients an opportunity to learn more about the programme, ask questions, and make an informed decision about joining. These are designed to provide valuable insight into how the programme works and the benefits it offers. Dates: 22nd May and 28th May at 5.00pm-5.30pm
Around 90% people with diabetes have type 2 which can be prevented or delayed through being more physically active, eating healthily and managing their weight.
There are 772,683 adults with Type 2 diabetes in the Midlands, nearly 1 in 12 people, or 8.2% of the regional population. This compares with a 7.5% prevalence in England. In addition, over a million people in England have undiagnosed Type 2 diabetes.
Some groups are at higher risk of type 2 diabetes including: men, people of South Asian or Black ethnicity, people who are overweight and people with a family history of type 2 diabetes. Black and South Asian people have a higher risk of getting Type 2 diabetes after the age of 25, compared with those from a White background where risk increases after the age of 40.
In West Midlands, mobile testing van sites will be in two locations: Tuesday 21 May and Wednesday 22 May (locations to be confirmed). Those attending can simply have a conversation about their risk with a clinician or have a finger prick blood test for early signs of diabetes. Also offered are blood pressure checks, BMI Checks and Lipid Testing. All of which can be early indicators of developing Type 2 diabetes. Next steps, if needed, will also be shared.
The health complications of getting Type 2 diabetes can be serious and life changing. These may include loss of sight, loss of limbs, increased risk of heart disease, stroke and kidney disease.
Professor Vinod Patel, Co-Clinical Director – Diabetes for the Midlands Cardiovascular Disease and Respiratory Network: “If you have symptoms of diabetes or suspect that you could have hypertension, then please get a blood pressure check and a blood test at your GP Practice, or visit the mobile test sites in the West Midlands on Tuesday and Wednesday this week. You can prevent type 2 diabetes by eating a healthy, balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and keeping physically active.”
In many cases if you have type 2 diabetes, it may even be possible to reverse it. There may be local programmes for this. Please contact your GP Practice for details.
Peter Shorrick, Head of Midlands and East at Diabetes UK said: “If you have symptoms of diabetes, i.e. weeing a lot, especially at night, being really thirsty, feeling more tired than usual, losing weight without trying to – and getting thinner, genital itching or thrush, cuts and wounds taking longer to heal, blurred eyesight, please come and visit the mobile test sites in the West Midlands this week.
“We will also be giving out information to support self-management, and signposting people to key local support services including local prevention programmes and Talking Therapies Services in supporting people’s mental health.”
Find out your risk of type 2 diabetes by using the Diabetes UK Know Your Risk Score by clicking the button below