Diabetes: The UK's Hidden Timebomb

People are putting their health on the line through ignorance of diabetes according to a hard-hitting report into the reality and misconceptions of the condition in the UK today.

Less than half of the public (46%) know that you can die as a result of diabetes according to a MORI poll into public awareness of diabetes and its effects commissioned by Diabetes UK (formerly the British Diabetic Association) for a new report Diabetes in the UK - the Missing Million.

Around three-quarters (76%) of those in high risk groups, that is those with two or more of the following characteristics: aged over 40, a family history of the condition, from ethnic minorities and overweight - are unaware of their risk of developing diabetes.

Diabetes UK, the country's leading diabetes charity announces the findings today (29 May 2000) to coincide with the launch of its Missing Million campaign to highlight the existence of the estimated one million people in the UK who have diabetes but don't yet know it.

"This is an alarming state of affairs," says Paul Streets, Chief Executive of Diabetes UK, "these findings underline the myth that many people believe that diabetes can be a mild condition. It is not, diabetes is one of the most serious health issues facing the UK today and if society keeps on ignoring its importance we will be facing a potential health timebomb."

Around 1.4 million people already know they have diabetes but it's estimated that an additional one million people also have diabetes but are unaware of the condition. By leaving these people untreated they are being put at increased risk of devastating long term effects such as heart disease, stroke, kidney damage, amputations and blindness.

The MORI statistics are worrying when compared with the reality of diabetes in the UK today.

• Perception: Only a third (33%) of people questioned from the high-risk groups know that diabetes can lead to heart disease
• Fact: People with diabetes are two to three times more likely to suffer a heart attack compared to people who don't have diabetes and are five times more likely to suffer heart failure
• Perception: Under three fifths (56%) of respondents are aware that blindness can be a complication of diabetes
• Fact: Diabetes is the single biggest cause of blindness among adults of working age in the UK

Diabetes UK is now challenging the Government, healthcare professionals, people with diabetes and its own organisation to take urgent action to defuse the potential diabetes time-bomb which is currently facing the nation.

Technical details

MORI interviewed a representative quota sample of 2,135 adults aged 15+ throughout the United Kingdom from 2 - 14 March 2000. All interviews were conducted using CAPI (Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing) face-to-face, in respondents' homes. Data have been weighted to reflect the national population profile.