NHS Pilot Scheme to Reduce Type 2 Diabetes in Birmingham

A new scheme is being piloted by the NHS in south and central Birmingham in a bid to reduce soaring levels of Type 2 diabetes in overweight individuals of Birmingham.

Trials carried out in the US, Japan, China and India have revealed a 30-60% decrease in the occurrence of Type 2 diabetes after high risk adults took part in intensive lifestyle change programmes. UK health chiefs are hoping to do the same and save thousands of lives in the process by encouraging people to make lifestyle changes and adopt healthy habits to avoid the serious illness.

A recent report by the University of Birmingham revealed 25% of Birmingham occupants are obese, with other studies highlighting how two out of every five children in the city are overweight or obese. The Birmingham Mail has also revealed that teenagers as young as 16 in Birmingham are undergoing or have undergone weight loss surgery.

Simon Stevens, NHS England chief executive, unveiled the program at the Diabetes UK conference in London. He said:

"It's time for the NHS to start practising what we preach,

"The NHS already spends an estimated £10 billion a year on potentially avoidable illnesses, and the human toll is more than 100 amputations a week and around 20,000 early deaths every year.

"Yet for over a decade we've known that obesity prevention cuts diabetes and saves lives.

"If these results were from a pill we'd doubtless be popping it, but instead this programme succeeds by supporting people to lose weight, exercise and eat better."

Seven areas in the UK have been chosen to take part in the initial phase of the National NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme, which involves an emphasis on weight loss, physical activity, cooking and nutrition. If the national programme replicates the success of other countries, it could save millions of lives and pounds for the NHS.

If you've been misdiagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, contact our medical negligence solicitors on 0845 056 8723 for advice.

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Medical Negligence Solicitors