Diabetes Public Health Diabetes in UK tops 4 million

Diabetes UK - who used GP patient data to estimate the number – say there are now 4.05 million people with diabetes in the UK.

The figure includes 3.5 million adults diagnosed with diabetes – nearly 200,000 more than 12 months ago and 65% more than 10 years ago – and an estimated 590,000 people who have type 2 diabetes but do not know it, notes the charity.

Diabetes UK say the country faces an urgent need for adequate diabetes care.

As the number of people living with diabetes in the UK continues to climb, they warn that the need for the National Health Service to provide adequate diabetes care and education is more important than ever.

Chris Askew, chief executive of Diabetes UK, calls for the UK government to lead a "concerted effort" to address the fact nearly two thirds of the UK population is overweight or obese and thus at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.