During Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Week people in the North East and Yorkshire are being encouraged to check their risk using the Diabetes UK Know Your Risk tool.

Type 2 diabetes can lead to serious health complications if left untreated, and people living with the condition also face higher risk of heart disease, stroke, nerve damage, foot problems, vision loss and kidney problems.

However, people at risk can take steps to prevent type 2 through a range of lifestyle changes, explained Dr Jonathan Slade, the NHS region’s Medical Director (System Improvement and Professional Standards).

“Type 2 diabetes is one of the biggest healthcare challenges of our time, affecting 5 million people in the UK,” Dr Slade (pictured) said, “but the good news is that you can prevent it by eating a healthy, balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight and keeping physically active.”

He explained that anyone can develop type 2, but certain factors increase a person’s risk including age, excess weight, high blood pressure, people with a family history of type 2 diabetes, and ethnicity.

Many people who have type 2 diabetes are unaware of this, as they have little or no symptoms, and it is estimated there are one million people in the UK who have undiagnosed type 2 diabetes.

Dr Slade, who’s a GP based in the North East, added: “I would encourage people to find out their risk of type 2 diabetes by using the Diabetes UK Know Your Risk tool (or search online Know Your Risk). It only takes a few minutes and if someone is at moderate to high risk, the tool will advise them to contact their GP practice for a blood test.”

If blood sugar levels show someone is at risk of developing type 2, they may be eligible for referral to a local Healthier You NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme. This evidence-based lifestyle change programme helps people reduce their risk of type 2 through healthy lifestyle changes.

Research shows the programme has reduced new diagnoses of type 2 diabetes in England, saving thousands of people from the potentially serious consequences of the condition. For people completing the programme, it cuts the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 37%. Contact your GP practice for further information.

Dr Slade added: “Around 200,000 people are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes every year, and you don’t need to be one of them. Take the Diabetes UK test today and reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes.”

Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Week is a joint campaign from NHS England and Diabetes UK and runs until Sunday 28 May.