The number of people living with diabetes in the UK has reached alarming levels, with a new report revealing that nearly one in five adults is now affected by the condition or prediabetes. Diabetes UK’s latest estimates show that 4.6 million individuals have been diagnosed with diabetes, up from 4.4 million last year. However, the situation is far worse than it seems: another 1.3 million adults are living with undiagnosed type 2 diabetes, and 6.3 million people are in the prediabetic stage, where blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not yet in the diabetes range.
This means more than 12 million people in the UK—approximately 20% of the adult population—are impacted by either diabetes or prediabetes, with the majority having type 2 diabetes, which is linked to factors like obesity, high blood pressure, and unhealthy diets.
Diabetes UK warns that this represents a “hidden health crisis,” as many individuals are unaware of their condition, leaving them at risk of serious complications such as heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, and vision problems. Colette Marshall, the charity’s chief executive, emphasized the urgent need to identify those with undiagnosed diabetes or prediabetes so they can receive timely care and prevent further harm.
Prediabetes, in particular, is concerning because it is reversible through lifestyle changes, including better diet and exercise. However, if left untreated, it can develop into full-blown type 2 diabetes, which currently makes up 90% of all diabetes cases in the UK.
The surge in diabetes cases in the UK mirrors global trends. According to recent estimates from The Lancet, the number of diabetes cases worldwide reached 828 million in 2022, a dramatic increase from 1990.
Diabetes UK is urging the UK government to increase funding for diabetes care, including enhanced support for newly diagnosed individuals and regular health screenings to catch complications early. As the diabetes crisis deepens, the charity stresses that action is needed to provide better long-term care to millions of people living with the condition, reducing their risk of severe health issues.
