Rates of type 2 diabetes have increased to 7% in England, new data reveals.
The ICB of Black Country registered the highest type 2 diabetes prevalence (9.7%) in 2021, whilst the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West ICB had the lowest estimated prevalence (6.3%).
For those with diabetes, the NHS sets out three treatment targets for diabetes patients which aim to control blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure levels. Across the county, NHS treatment targets achievement rates have increased for type 1 diabetes.
24.3% of those diagnosed with type 1 diabetes achieved all 3 treatment targets set out by the NHS within the 15 months ending March 2024. Although people with type 2 diabetes register substantially higher rates of achieving treatment targets, which range between 31.6% and 41.3%, this group has seen a decrease in target achievement rates.
There is significant disparity across the country however, with some areas reporting relatively low treatment options compared to the increasing diabetes prevalence rates recorded.
The NHS North West London Integrated Care Board registered the highest rates across the country in percentage of type 1 and type 2 diabetes patients who achieved all 3 NHS treatment targets, at 31.2% and 41.3% respectively. Conversely, the NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board registered the lowest percentage of type 1 patients who achieved the targets (18.9%), whilst the Gloucestershire ICB saw the lowest rates in target achievement for type 2 individuals (31.6%).
The data released yesterday by the Department of Health and Social Care also includes further diabetes profile indicators for care processes, structured education, and health checks.
Across all 42 ICBs in England, in 2023/2024, an average of only 8.5% of people aged 40 to 74 years old reported receiving an NHS Health Check per year. Additionally, in 2022, only an average of 7.59% of people with type 1 diabetes and 11.8% of people with type 2 diabetes attended diabetes education programmes.
The North East London ICB saw the highest rate of 40-74 year olds receiving a Health Check (17.7%). The ICB of Suffolk and North East Essex registered the highest rate of type 1 individuals receiving structured education (20.3%) and the Dorset ICB saw the highest rates for type 2 patients (26%).
Geodata context
Diabetes features heavily in the NHS Long Term Plan. The plan aims to increase funding and staffing for NHS services and tackle increasing inequalities and pressures within UK healthcare. Significant efforts against diabetes are being made through increasing prevention, structured education and digital self-management.
By its 80th anniversary, the NHS seeks to enable more people to achieve recommended diabetes treatment targets and minimise health complications.
About the map
The map below shows treatment targets achievement and structured education attendance rates by ICB for 2023/2024 and 2022. To explore detailed figures for your area, double-click on the map or click here to view the full-page version.