Shropshire Star

Nearly 9,000 adults have diabetes in Powys but thousands of cases are yet to be diagnosed, charity says

Nearly 9,000 adults in Powys are living with diabetes and tens of thousands more across Wales are yet to be diagnosed, a charity says.

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Around 203,499 adults in Wales have been diagnosed with diabetes, up from 198,883 in 2019.

A total of 7.7 per cent of the adult population in the country is now living with a diabetes diagnosis, the highest prevalence of all UK nations.

In Powys, the prevalence is 7.8 per cent, with 8,868 adults diagnosed.

However, new analysis from Diabetes UK suggests there are an additional 61,488 people in Wales who are yet to be diagnosed.

Cases of type 2 diabetes diagnoses have doubled in the last 15 years.

But research has consistently shown that for some people, combined lifestyle interventions - including diet, physical activity and sustained weight loss - can be effective in reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes by about 50 per cent.

The new data shows a stark increase in the number of people living with a diabetes diagnosis.

Across the UK the charity estimates that there are also more than 13.6 million people at increased risk of type 2 diabetes.

At this rate Diabetes UK predicts the number of people with diabetes, including the undiagnosed population, is expected to rise to 5.5 million by 2030.

NHS Wales estimates that rates will increase to 11.5 per cent of the population by 2030.

Dai Williams, national director of Diabetes UK Cymru, said: “The number of people with diabetes is increasing year-on-year.

"As we look to the future post Covid-19, preventing cases of type 2 diabetes must be a public health priority.

“The pandemic has shown with devastating clarity how diabetes puts you at increased risk of poorer outcomes when contracting the virus.

"Yet, we know that with the right support, up to half of type 2 diabetes cases − and the accompanying risk of developing life threatening complications − can be delayed or prevented.

“This Diabetes Prevention Week, we want to help people understand their personal risk of type 2 diabetes and the first step is to complete our free Know Your Risk Tool, today.

“By taking just five minutes out of your day, you have the power to access information and support that could change your health for the better.”

Complete the Know Your Risk tool at riskscore.diabetes.org.uk/start

Find out more about the risk factors of type 2 diabetes at www.diabetes.org.uk/preventing-type-2-diabetes/diabetes-risk-factors

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