Urgent action needed with cases of Diabetes set to rise in Wales, warn health officials
Around one in 11 adults in Wales could be living with diabetes by 2035 if current trends continue, according to a new analysis by Public Health Wales on World Diabetes Day.
This projection equates to an additional 48,000 people battling the disease, a 22% increase from the 2021/22 figures.
The anticipated rise in diabetes cases could place considerable strain on the NHS.
Diabetes related hospital spells cost the Welsh NHS an average of £4,518 per spell in 2021/22, not including spells requiring amputations.
£105 million was spent on drugs to manage diabetes in Wales in 2022/23.
Over 200,000 people in Wales are already living with diabetes, the equivilent of eight per cent of adults.
Around 90 per cent of these cases have type 2 diabetes, over half of which could be prevented or delayed with behaviour changes.
The All Wales Diabetes Prevention Programme, spearheaded by Public Health Wales and funded by the Welsh Government, plays a pivotal role in this fight against diabetes.
This initiative, delivered locally through trained healthcare support workers and dietetic leads, focuses on helping high-risk individuals adopt healthier diets and increase physical activity.
Individuals at risk are identified via an HbA1c blood test, which assesses average blood sugar levels over two to three months.
Those eligible in areas where the program is available receive guidance from healthcare support workers and can be directed to additional support resources.
Since its inception in June 2022, the programme has extended support to over 3,000 people across 32 of the 60 primary care clusters in Wales.
Dr Amrita Jesurasa, Consultant in Public Health for Public Health Wales, said: “There has been a 40 per cent increase in the number of people living with diabetes in Wales in just over the last 10 years – an increase of 60,000 people.
“Type 2 diabetes is a leading cause of sight loss and a contributor to kidney failure, heart attack and stroke. In 2021/22 alone, more than 560 people in Wales underwent amputations linked with diabetes.
“The increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes is therefore very concerning for the health and wellbeing of the people of Wales, as well as recognising the extra pressure this puts on health services.
“But the good news is that by supporting people to make behaviour changes, over half of type 2 diabetes cases could be prevented.
“The main risk factors which people can take action on include having a healthier weight, eating a healthy diet, and being physically active.”
Darren Rix, a 50-year-old from Pontardawe, discovered his prediabetic condition following a routine eye test.
After participating in the programme, he saw significant health improvements, emphasizing the importance of early detection and lifestyle changes.
Rachel Long, Swansea Bay University Health Board’s lead dietitian, said: “Until now a lot of patients hadn’t been made aware that they were at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
“So, when they do come into the consultation, it’s been a little bit of a relief for them to be able to speak to somebody and have that advice.
“Prevention is better than finding a cure and the follow-up data so far is showing promise and heading in the right direction.”
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