Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Week - 26 May - 1 June 2025
An estimated 6.3 million people live with prediabetes, but many are not aware of this. If left untreated, prediabetes can develop into type 2 diabetes, which can lead to serious health complications. Finding out their risk of developing type 2 diabetes enables people to take action to protect their health.
There are a range of risk factors for type 2 diabetes, including family history and ethnic background, as well as high blood pressure and having obesity. That's why we're encouraging people who live with type 2 diabetes to urge their family and friends to find out their risk, so they can understand what this means for them and their health.
Reducing risk
Type 2 diabetes isn’t preventable for everyone, but support is available to help people reduce their risk and improve their overall health.
The NHS has set up prevention programmes in all nations of the UK to support people at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Here's how to access:
Increased risk for women who've had gestational diabetes
Did you know? Up to 50% of women diagnosed with gestational diabetes develop type 2 diabetes within 5 years.
Women who've had gestational diabetes need an annual blood test to check their blood sugar levels are normal.
Support is available to help women who've previously had gestational diabetes to reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes - in England, they can get support through the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme.
In other areas of the UK, the best place to start is to ask their GP for advice.
