Former Wolverhampton Wanderers player George Elokobi has teamed up with the NHS to get behind a special campaign urging black, asian and ethnic minority people to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.

George Elokobi, 34, has become an ambassador for the charity Diabetes UK after seeing his father’s struggles with type 1 diabetes through his early childhood.

George saw his father, Martin, die from complications with the condition when he was just 10 years old. He was able to overcome the tragedy to become a professional footballer and rise to the top level of the sport with Wolverhampton Wanderers. George is committed to being as fit and healthy as possible and wants to inspire others to make healthy choices wherever they can.

George Elokobi joins the NHS team

The call out comes as we are reminded that black, asian and ethnic minority people are three times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than white people and that if left untreated, it can lead to sight loss, kidney failure, loss of a limb and it also increases the risk of heart attack or stroke.

People living with diabetes face a significantly higher risk of dying with Covid-19 with a third of deaths in England associated with the condition, according to NHS research. However, better management of the condition can help improve control and lead to better outcomes.

The campaign is asking black, asian and ethnic minority people to know their risk of developing type 2 diabetes through using the ‘Know Your Risk’ tool hosted by Diabetes UK. Anyone at moderate or high risk of developing the condition may be eligible to join their local Healthier You NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme, a joint initiative from NHS England and NHS Improvement, Public Health England and Diabetes UK. The programme supports people to make positive changes to their diet, weight and the amount of physical activity they do – to significantly reduce the risk of developing this condition.

People can find out if they are eligible to join their local programme by completing the Diabetes UK risk tool at riskscore.diabetes.org.uk. Anyone who is identified as at moderate to high risk of type 2 diabetes using the Diabetes UK risk tool, can refer themselves to a local service for support remotely or online or should visit their local GP for more information on their risk of developing type 2 diabetes

Professor Vinod Patel

Professor Vinod Patel, Clinical Director Diabetes NHS England & NHS Improvement in the Midlands and Trustee at the South Asian Health Foundation (SAHF) says: “There are several risk factors for type 2 diabetes, some of which, such as your age or your family history that can’t be changed. However, it’s really important for the community to take heed that there are other risk factors such as your weight which are very much in your control – indeed, the risk of type 2 diabetes can be reduced by getting support to lose weight, getting more physically active and eating healthy food. I urge everyone from the community to take a pragmatic and practical approach to this very serious health condition to reduce your risk.”

George Elokobi said: “As a Diabetes UK ambassador I’m very happy to lend my support to this NHS campaign. Never has there been a more important time to look after our health and take steps to reduce our risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

“I would encourage people to take simple steps now, such as using the Diabetes UK online know your risk tool, to start their journey to a healthier version of themselves.”

The NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme has continued through the pandemic via video calls and is also available digitally using websites and apps.

To find out your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, visit: www.diabetes.org.uk/knowyourrisk.