Poorest hardest hit by diabetes

People living in the poorest communities are 2.5 times more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes than the rest of the population, according to new research.

The report, published by Diabetes UK and the All Party Parliamentary Group for Diabetes to mark World Diabetes Day, also found that people living in the poorest areas were three times more likely to develop the serious complications of diabetes including heart disease, stroke and kidney damage.

The report said that people in deprived communities were not getting vital health checks, following diagnosis, such as having blood glucose levels and blood pressure monitored and retinopathy and neuropathy checks, which were needed in order to prevent complications from developing.

The report also addressed the range of problems for a variety of other groups with diabetes, including: elderly people, people with mental health problems, people from ethnic minorities, prisoners and homeless people.

Douglas Smallwood, Chief Executive of Diabetes UK, said: "With late diagnosis, poor care and poor lifestyles compounding the difficult task of managing diabetes, people in deprived communities are facing some real problems.

"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."

Adrian Sanders, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Diabetes, said: "Not only is diabetes more common among disadvantaged groups, but the impact it has on their long-term health is worse."

Diabetes UK has called for changes to be introduced to help counter these inequalities. These include: extra funding; the introduction of protocols, written by Primary Care Organisations, that address the particular needs of diverse groups; and strategies aimed at reducing inequality of health outcomes, including awareness-raising messages with communication appropriate to all diverse groups.

(KMcA)