Almost 300,000 people have checked their risk of Type 2 diabetes online less than two months after the NHS fast-tracked access to its Healthier You Diabetes Prevention Programme.
Latest figures show that 291,325 people used the Diabetes UK Know Your Risk tool since the end of July – a 637% increase compared to two months previously.
Over 5,000 people have now self-referred for support to lose weight and prevent the onset of Type 2 diabetes. The programme has the capacity to support 5,000 people every week, and the NHS is now urging even more people who are at risk to check their risk and sign up.
People can use the online test, hosted by Diabetes UK, to calculate their risk of developing the condition by answering basic questions including age, weight and ethnicity.
If their score comes back as sufficiently high, they can refer themselves to a local service for support remotely or online, without having to go through a healthcare professional. They can choose how to complete the programme, either by joining group sessions by video link or telephone with an experienced coach or through digital support, which includes online peer support groups and in some areas, wearable tech.
Previously, people had to go to their GP or visit a healthcare professional and get a blood test before a referral, but the risk of coronavirus has meant that fewer people have had face-to-face GP appointments and fewer people are accessing blood tests.
Click HERE for the Know Your Risk tool.
