Diabetes in the United Kingdom has more than doubled since 1998, according to a new analysis by Diabetes UK. Approximately 3.2 million people aged 17 or older are now living with the disease in the U.K.
Though the analysis does not specify the type of diabetes (type 1 or type 2), Nikki Joule, policy manager at Diabetes UK told The Guardian that “other research has shown diagnoses of both have increased, but the rise has been greater for type 2.”
Joule added the rise in obesity has driven the increase in diagnoses. It is estimated that almost a million people who have undiagnosed type 2 diabetes. Another 12 million people in the U.K. are prediabetic or those who do not have the disease.
Almost 7 percent of the population has been diagnosed with diabetes, equating to more than three million people living with the disease.
To read The Guardian’s story in its entirety, click the link below:
As a senior news writer for TriMed, Subrata covers cardiology, clinical innovation and healthcare business. She has a master’s degree in communication management and 12 years of experience in journalism and public relations.