Wales faces diabetes 'timebomb'

Ignorance of diabetes in Wales could prove costly

A new report into health awareness reveals that nearly two thirds of people in Wales are ignorant of the risks of diabetes.

The MORI poll conducted for Diabetes UK showed that only 38% of people were aware that diabetes could be fatal.

If society keeps ignoring its importance we will be facing a potential health timebomb."

Paul Street, Diabetes UK

Diabetes UK Cymru announced the findings as part of the launch of a campaign called Missing Million, focusing on those who have diabetes in the UK without realising it.

The lack of awareness in Wales about the risks is repeated across the UK, with 76% of those believed to be in high risk groups unaware of the dangers they face.

Diabetes UK Cymru said the typical characteristics of a sufferer were persons over 40 with a family history of the condition and overweight.

'Health timebomb'

"This is an alarming state of affairs," said Paul Street, chief executive of Diabetes UK.

"These findings underline the myth that many people believed that diabetes can be a mild condition.

"It is not. Diabetes is one of the most serious health issues facing Wales today and if society keeps ignoring its importance we will be facing a potential health timebomb."

Sufferers with diabetes are two or three times more likely to suffer a heart attack and it is also the biggest single cause of blindness among adults in the UK.