Posted on: 7 June 2021
West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership is set to support Diabetes Week 2021 which will be happening from 14 to 20 June 2021.
Diabetes Week is an annual campaign organised by the charity Diabetes UK and devoted to raising awareness of diabetes and raising money to help fund research into the condition. This year the focus will be on looking back over an extraordinary year, sharing #DiabetesStories and celebrating the diabetes community.
Around 4.9 million people in the UK live with diabetes and almost 347,000 of those live in West Yorkshire and Harrogate. The partnership has identified a further 100,000 who are at high risk of type 2 diabetes although that figure is estimated to be higher but many people won’t have had a blood test or have seen their GP.
Dr Tahir, Clinical Diabetes Lead for the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership and Bradford District and Craven System Programme, said: “Type 2 diabetes is one of the fastest growing conditions and the figures are showing an alarming upwards trend. By making the positive choice to prevent diabetes and making sure people get the support and advice they need we can help change that.”
Recent work includes supporting GP practices to make sure they have everything they need to invite people at risk to join the Healthier You NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme. By joining the behavioural change programme, people receive support in a friendly and supportive environment to adjust their lifestyle.
Adele Graham, the Partnership’s Diabetes Programme Manager said: “It’s not about changing your life completely. Even the smallest change to our diet, lifestyle or activity levels can make a big difference and delay or prevent life threatening complications associated with type 2 diabetes.”
The partnership has also organised a Let’s DiaBEAT this campaign. That campaign has seen billboards, radio adverts, online events and most recently a video resource where we have animated Dr Waqas Tahir to describe who is more at risk, how to recognise the signs and what we can do to prevent type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes Week is an opportunity to support the diabetes community and to let people know what services there are to help. Throughout this important week, we’ll be sharing various resources to build on the great work taking place across Bradford district and Craven, Calderdale, Harrogate, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield.
Clare Howarth, Head of the North of England at Diabetes UK said: “This Diabetes Week we’re not just raising awareness of diabetes but shining a light on the experiences of those affected by the condition. We’re grateful for the support of West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership in helping raise awareness of diabetes in the local community and highlighting the support that is available for those affected by the condition.”
To get involved, visit the Diabetes UK website for more information, resources and ideas. Read Adele’s blog and have a look at the diabetes section on the website to find out more about the work of the Diabetes Programme in West Yorkshire and Harrogate.