Worrying findings suggest 12million Brits are living with dangerously high blood sugar levels, as Diabetes UK warns of a ‘hidden health crisis’ after a new report
One in five adults in Britain are now thought to have diabetes or prediabetes.
New analysis from Diabetes UK suggests 12million Brits are living with dangerously high blood sugar levels. The charity has published an open letter to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Health Secretary Wes Streeting warning the country is facing a “hidden health crisis”.
Colette Marshall, chief executive of Diabetes UK, added: “These latest figures highlight the hidden health crisis we’re facing in the UK, and underline why the Government must act now. There must be better care for the millions of people living with all types of diabetes, to support them to live well and fend off the risk of developing devastating complications.”
The analysis of NHS data found 4.6million people in the UK have a diabetes diagnosis, the highest on record and an increase on the 4.4million reported a year ago. A further 1.3million people have undiagnosed type 2 diabetes, with about 6.3million people living with non-diabetic hyperglycaemia, also known as prediabetes. If left untreated, prediabetes can develop into type 2 diabetes, although it can be reversed with lifestyle changes such as healthy eating and exercise.
This means more than 12million people in the UK either have diabetes or prediabetes. One in 10 of these have the genetic Type 1 form while around 90% have Type 2 which is linked to unhealthy lifestyles.
The charity’s open letter to the Government calls for the NHS to “prioritise urgently identifying those with pre-diabetes and those who have undiagnosed type 2 diabetes” through “improved NHS Health Checks”. It warns that diabetes “is a gateway to many other serious health issues”, like strokes, heart attacks and heart failure.
Last year, research by Diabetes UK warned the condition could cost the NHS almost £18 billion by 2035 if action is not taken. Research published by the charity last May also highlighted a 40% increased in the number of people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in the UK who were younger than 40.
Ms Marshall added: “With more people developing prediabetes and type 2 diabetes at a younger age, it’s also critical that much more is done to find the missing millions who either have type 2 diabetes or prediabetes but are completely unaware of it. The sooner we can find and get them the care they need, the more harm we can prevent.”
Rates of diabetes have more than doubled since the 1990s driven by junk food diets, processed foods and lack of exercise.
Former Team GB Olympic triple jumper Michelle Griffith-Robinson, 53, was first diagnosed with prediabetes in 2018. She has a history of type 2 diabetes in her family – losing her grandmother to diabetes-related complications. Her mother also has type 2 diabetes and had to have her leg amputated last year.
Michelle said: “Being diagnosed with prediabetes came as a massive shock to me as I considered myself fit and healthy. I made some immediate lifestyle changes and managed to get my blood sugar levels back in the normal range.”
Having recently been told in November 2024, that she has prediabetes for a second time, Michelle wants to raise awareness of the condition and champions the call for investment in vital prevention support for others with prediabetes and at risk of type 2 diabetes.
She added: “I’ve recently been told I have prediabetes again, so raising awareness, especially in the Black community where there is a lot of stigma around type 2 diabetes – is extremely important to me.”
