Cornwall has been selected as one of the second wave of sites across England to be included in the National Diabetes Prevention Programme (NDPP).

There are over 28,000 people in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly who have non-diabetic hyperglycaemia, a high level of sugar in their blood, which in turn puts them at risk of diabetes.

The associated risks to health if you develop diabetes include heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, blindness and dementia. One in ten adults in Cornwall have diabetes and of these a quarter will not yet be aware that they have it. On average at the age of 50 the life expectancy of people with diabetes is six years less than for people without diabetes. The good news is that three in five cases of diabetes can be delayed or prevented.

Prevention is the key approach to reducing the risk of getting diabetes and in many cases people can do a lot to help themselves. Making small changes makes big differences. Walking more each day, eating a better diet and quitting smoking can all help to reduce the risks.

Dr Alison Flanagan, GP and clinical lead for long term conditions for Kernow Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “Prevention and primary care is identified as one of five priorities of our STP. The NDPP is an ideal opportunity to work together across the system on a priority area that will have a huge and on-going impact on our population.”

Dr Caroline Court, acting director for Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Public Health, added: “Type two diabetes is the fastest growing health problem in the UK with potentially devastating consequences for individuals and for the NHS. This is a great opportunity to reverse the trend in Cornwall and to help people improve their health.”

The programme will begin in April and people who are eligible will receive a letter directly from their GP surgery to invite them to be a part of the programme. If people have concerns and want support to make lifestyle changes themselves they should contact the PHIL service on 01209 313419. Alternatively visit the “preventing diabetes” section on the diabetes UK website at diabetes.org.uk/Preventing-Type-2-diabetes/Can-diabetes-be-prevented/.