Know Your Risk of Type 2 Diabetes this Diabetes Prevention Week

This Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Week, taking place from Monday 25 to Sunday 31 May 2026, health leaders at NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin and NHS Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent will be encouraging local people to check their risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

The national campaign, led jointly by NHS England and Diabetes UK, aims to raise awareness of the risk factors associated with type 2 diabetes and highlights how healthy lifestyle changes can help prevent or delay the condition. Checking your risk only takes a few minutes and could help you take positive steps for your future health.

There are currently 4.6 million people in the UK with type 2 diabetes. It is also estimated that around 1.3 million people may have undiagnosed type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes is a condition where blood sugar levels become too high because the body either does not produce enough insulin or cannot use insulin effectively. Common symptoms can include increased thirst, feeling tired, needing to pass urine more often, and blurred vision.

People living with diabetes face a higher risk of heart disease, stroke, nerve damage, foot problems, vision loss and kidney problems.

Some groups are at higher risk of type 2 diabetes, such as people of South Asian or Black ethnicity, people who are overweight, people with a family history of type 2 diabetes, and women with a history of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM).

You can reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes by eating a healthy, balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight and keeping physically active.

To learn more about type 2 diabetes, including symptoms, risk factors, prevention advice, and available treatments, visit the NHS website.

What is the Know Your Risk online tool?

The Diabetes UK ‘Know Your Risk’ score tool is a free online questionnaire that helps people understand their risk of developing type 2 diabetes. It asks a few simple questions about factors such as age, family history, weight, ethnicity, and lifestyle. Based on the answers provided, the tool gives a personalised risk score ranging from low to very high risk of developing type 2 diabetes over the next 10 years.

The tool also provides tailored advice and information on ways to reduce risk, including healthy eating, increasing physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, and making positive lifestyle changes. People with higher risk scores may be encouraged to contact their GP or attend an NHS health check for further support and assessment. Additional resources and guidance are also available to help people better understand type 2 diabetes and the steps they can take to improve their health.

To use the Diabetes UK ‘Know Your Risk’ tool, visit: Know Your Risk | Diabetes UK Risk Score

Local support available

People identified as being at risk of developing type 2 diabetes may be eligible for support through the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme, delivered by Living Well Taking Control in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin and Reed Wellbeing in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.

The programme supports people to make healthier lifestyle changes through personalised coaching, peer support, healthy eating advice, increased physical activity, and weight management support. Sessions can be delivered in person or digitally to help people make sustainable changes and reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

For people already living with type 2 diabetes who are overweight or living with obesity, the NHS Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission Programme, delivered by Counterweight in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin and Reed Wellbeing in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, offers an evidence-based 12-month programme designed to support significant weight loss and improve diabetes management.

Kelly Wilson, from Stoke-on-Trent, says the programme delivered in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent has transformed her life, with weight loss and better health.

“Before joining, I felt stuck. I had tried everything to get my diabetes under control…since starting, my lifestyle has completely changed. I’ve cut out caffeine, and I make sure to exercise every day—at least 15 to 20 minutes of walking. My diet is healthier than ever, and I feel in control…

“The results have been incredible. I’ve lost 25 kilos, and my blood pressure, which was 172/99 when I started, is now down to 138/88. I’m also keeping my blood glucose under control without any medication. That’s something I never thought would be possible.

“The programme has completely transformed my life. I look and feel better than I ever have, and I have so much more confidence in managing my diabetes through diet and exercise. I’m proud to be making healthier choices every day.”

The programme includes specialist support from healthcare professionals, total diet replacement products during the initial phase, food reintroduction, and long-term weight maintenance support. In some cases, participants may achieve remission of type 2 diabetes and reduce their reliance on medication.

The NHS Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission Programme is based on two studies. The Diabetes UK-funded ‘DiRECT’ trial saw almost half of those who went on a low calorie diet achieve remission of their type 2 diabetes after one year. A quarter of participants achieved a 15kg or more weight loss, and of these, 86% put their type 2 diabetes into remission. Another trial, called ‘DROPLET’, demonstrated similar weight loss in people who were living with obesity.

If you have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, find out more about the Path to Remission programme from your GP or health professional.