NHS prevention programme cuts chances of type 2 diabetes for thousands
An NHS programme providing advice on healthy eating and exercise reduces the chance of getting type 2 diabetes, according to research funded by the National Institute for Health and Social Care Research (NIHR).
As part of the DIPLOMA study, researchers from Manchester University evaluated the effects of the Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme (NHS DPP) and found it reduced new type 2 diabetes diagnoses by 7% between 2018 and 2019, preventing the onset of the condition in 18,000 people.
Participants who completed the nine month scheme lost 3.3kg on average and reduced their chances of getting diabetes by 37%.
A total of 38 participants from Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire took part.
Type 2 diabetes is a common health condition causing serious health problems and reducing quality of life. It can cause sight loss, kidney failure, heart attack, stroke and cancer and can double the risk of hospital deaths from COVID-19.
People enrolled in NHS DPP get advice on healthy eating and exercise that can prevent the condition developing by reducing high blood pressure and insulin resistance, avoiding the need for medication and complications such as amputations.
Some are at higher risk of diabetes and can be identified with a blood test. Almost one million high-risk patients have been referred to the programme since it was launched in 2016, as part of an NHS long term plan to tackle rising obesity rates and prevent type 2 diabetes.
The NHS spends around £10 billion a year on diabetes – around 10% of its budget – and the NHS DPP is highly cost effective in the long term.
Sajid Javid, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, said: “It's vital we focus on prevention and provide advice on healthy eating and exercise, as obesity can lead to a number of serious health conditions and is the second biggest cause of cancer in the UK. Programs like this are helping people to live longer, healthier lives as part of our mission to level up the health of the nation and tackle disparities.”
The study was funded by the NIHR’s Health & Social Care Delivery Research Programme.
Read more on the NIHR website.
