Poor 'at greater risk' of diabetes
Tuesday, 14 Nov 2006 09:44
People with type two diabetes often have to inject insulin
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People living in deprived communities are 2.5 times more likely to develop type two diabetes, a report has warned today.
The study from Diabetes UK and the all-party parliamentary group for diabetes (APPGD) also found that poorer people are over three times more likely to develop serious complications of diabetes, including heart disease and stroke, than people from higher socio-economic groups.
Over two million people are diagnosed with diabetes in the UK and a further 750,000 have the condition but do not know it. Type two is the most common form of the condition and develops when the body cannot produce enough insulin.
According to Diabetes and the Disadvantaged – Reducing Health Inequalities in the UK, the increase in risk of complications is due to poorer people not receiving health checks necessary to preventing the disease developing.
It argues that they are failing to have their blood glucose levels or their blood pressure monitored for retinopathy, which can lead to blindness and neuropathy, with the latter potentially leading to amputation.
"With late diagnosis, poor care and poor lifestyles compounding the difficult task of managing diabetes, people in deprived communities are facing some real problems," said Douglas Smallwood, chief executive of Diabetes UK.
"The diagnosis of diabetes exacerbates existing problems for people in diverse groups, who may already be struggling to cope. It will take a huge shift in both attitudes and services to reverse this pattern for future generations."
And Adrian Sanders, chair of the APPGD, said: "Not only is diabetes more common among disadvantaged groups, but the impact it has on their long-term health is worse."
As a result of the report's findings, Diabetes UK is calling for steps to be taken to reduce inequalities, including strategies to raise awareness of the disease to all social groups; protocols being written by primary care organisations to address the needs of diverse groups; and funding geared towards redressing existing inequalities.