AN ESTIMATED 37,000 people aged 16 and over in east Cheshire are at high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes according to a Public Health England report. 

The report, published on Wednesday, August 26, showed that the large amount of east Cheshire adults have blood sugar levels which indicate a high risk of developing the disease. 

It was commissioned by the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme (NHS DPP), which will support people in reducing their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by helping them lose weight, be more active and have a healthier diet.

Kieran Murphy, Medical Director, NHS England (Cheshire and Merseyside) said: “There are too many people on the cusp of developing Type 2 diabetes and we can change that. The growing body of evidence makes us confident that our NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme will reduce the numbers of those at risk going on to develop the debilitating disease.”

Barbara Young, chief executive of Diabetes UK, said: “Having high blood glucose levels significantly increases your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, which is a serious health condition and can lead to devastating complications such as blindness, amputations and strokes, and ultimately early death. 

“This is why it is really important that people at high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes are given evidenced based support to reduce their risk.”