Over 14,000 adults have diabetes in Southwark – that’s around six per cent of the population.
Around ten per cent of these are for Type-1 Diabetes (also known as juvenile onset or insulin-dependent diabetes), meaning that the vast majority of diagnoses are for Type 2 Diabetes – a condition normally associated with lifestyle factors such as obesity or lack of exercise.
Diabetes has been grabbing the headlines for some time, due to the huge increase in the number of people diagnosed with the condition in recent years. As a result, we often read conflicting stories about diabetes, what causes it and what it’s like to live with the condition.
It’s important that people have access to the right information about diabetes, such as the signs and symptoms of the condition, what you can do to lower your risk, and also the help and support available locally to help you get on with life.
Symptoms of diabetes includes feeling very thirsty urinating more frequently than usual, particularly at night, feeling very tired, weight loss and loss of muscle bulk, cuts or wounds that heal slowly and blurred vision.
Southwark residents will be some of the first in the country to be offered places on the Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme South London. This is the world’s first evidence based behavioural programme to help them avoid developing Type-2 diabetes. People suitable for the programme, will be identified via their NHS Health Check or their GP practice.
Referrals will begin this summer and those who join the programme will get tailored, personalised help, including education on healthy eating and lifestyle, help to lose weight and bespoke physical exercise programmes, all of which together have been proven to reduce the risk of developing the condition.
If you are interested in helping your community to become healthier then why not become a diabetes community champion? Recruitment is open now and we are looking for people to help us raise awareness of and help to prevent diabetes.
Find out more at www.southwarkccg.nhs.uk