Shrewsbury Town Football Club has teamed up with the NHS to get behind a special campaign urging black, Asian and ethnic minority (BAME) people to take action to prevent or delay the onset of Type 2 diabetes.
People living with diabetes face a significantly higher risk of dying with Covid-19, with nearly a third of deaths in the Shropshire area associated with the condition according to local NHS statistics. However, better management of the condition can help improve control and lead to better outcomes.
The call comes as we are reminded that black people are three times more likely and people from south Asian communities six times more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes than white people in the UK. If left untreated, it can lead to blindness, kidney failure, loss of a limb and it also increases the risk of heart attack or stroke.
The campaign is asking black, Asian and ethnic minority people to know their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by using the ‘Know Your Risk’ tool hosted by Diabetes UK.
Anyone at high risk of developing the condition may be eligible to join their local Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme, a joint initiative from NHS England and NHS Improvement, Public Health England and Diabetes UK.
The programme supports people to make positive changes to their diet, weight and the amount of physical activity they do – to significantly reduce the risk of developing this disease.
People can find out if they are eligible to join their local programme by completing the Diabetes UK risk tool at riskscore.diabetes.org.uk.
Anyone who is considered as being at high risk of Type 2 diabetes after using the Diabetes UK risk tool can then refer themselves to a local service for support remotely or online. They can also contact their local GP practice for more information on their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
Dr Priya George, Shropshire GP and Lead for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs), said:
“It is very important to get the message out about the risk that Type 2 diabetes poses, especially to those from BAME backgrounds due to the increased risks in this group.
“Looking after yourself by following a healthy diet, managing your weight and regular exercise can help reduce your risk of diabetes and prevent complications from it.
“I would like to encourage anyone to sign up to the Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme, and more specifically people from BAME communities as their risk is so much greater. The time to act is now.”
Jamie Edwards, CEO of Shrewsbury Town in the Community, said:
“Shrewsbury Town in the Community are thrilled to be supporting the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme – raising awareness that race is a risk factor.
“More than ever this year, our health is of top priority, and it’s important to take care of each other and ourselves. Knowing your risk factors, making small lifestyle changes are the best way to do that. As a community we have learnt that by looking after ourselves, we in turn support the NHS.”
A video featuring players Ethan Reid Ebanks-Landell and Aaron Pierre is available at https://youtu.be/tjrN7X5Z8-0 . The NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme has continued through the pandemic via video calls and is also available digitally using websites and apps. To find out your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, visit: www.diabetes.org.uk/knowyourrisk.