MORE than 55,000 people in Worcestershire are at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, new figures have shown.

Statistics released by Diabetes UK have shown 56,988 people in Worcestershire, or 12 per cent of the population aged 16 and older, have blood sugar levels so high they are at risk of developing the condition.

The figures also show 551,949 people across the West Midlands – or 12 per cent of the population – show signs of the condition, known as non-diabetic hyperglycaemia, along with five million people across the UK as a whole.

Health and wellbeing manager and obesity lead with Public Health England West Midlands David Elliott said the most effective ways to reduce the risk of developing diabetes were to lose weight, exercise and eat healthily. But he added other factors which cannot be controlled, such as age or ethnic group, can also have an impact on the likelihood a person will develop the condition.

“Certain sectors of the community are at increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes,” he said. “Areas with high populations of older people, high proportions of black and Asian ethnic groups, or both, see higher rates of people with non-diabetic hyperglycaemia.

“But in many cases this can be addressed through lifestyle changes.

“Making healthier food choices and getting regular exercise will address the problem of obesity and unless we begin to reduce levels of obesity, we won’t reduce diabetes.

“As well as the cost to an individual’s health, diabetes treatment currently accounts for around 10 per cent of the annual NHS budget – that’s nearly £10 billion a year.

“Through investing in and supporting healthier behaviour and undertaking targeted prevention, we can help to prevent both excess weight and obesity and associated conditions such as diabetes.”

Every year 22,000 people die earlier than they otherwise would have done as a result of Type 2 diabetes, costing the NHS £8.8 million on an annual basis.

In an effort to stamp out the disease, the NHS is launching a Diabetes Prevention Programme across the country next year. The scheme will be introduced in different regions on a rolling basis, and it is not yet known when it will be made available in Worcestershire.

Assistant director for assurance, quality and strategy with NHS England West Midlands Dr Will Murdoch said he was confident the Diabetes Prevention Programme would reduce the numbers of people develop the condition, which can affect most organs of the body.

He said: “As diabetes is a significant driver of health inequalities in our region, we fully support the priority Clinical Commissioning Groups are giving to the programme and will endeavour to ensure it is supported as widely as possible to improve the health of individuals and populations".