NHS Health Check ‘can be a vital tool against diabetes’

The government has called for more people in the UK to take up the offer of an NHS Health Check as part of its ongoing efforts to mitigate the impact of diabetes.

Coinciding with Diabetes UK's annual Diabetes Week, Public Health England has called on adults aged 40 to 74 to attend health assessments to identify those at risk of serious but potentially avoidable conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease.

By getting diagnosed at the earliest possible juncture, the organisation is hoping to help people take steps such as better weight control earlier to prevent or even reverse diabetes in its early stages.

Currently, there are an estimated 630,000 people with undiagnosed type 2 diabetes in the UK, meaning the earlier they can be identified, the better.

Professor Kevin Fenton, director of health and wellbeing at Public Health England, said: "With type 2 diabetes becoming more common, the NHS Health Check presents an opportunity for individuals to take steps earlier, such as weight control, to prevent or even reverse diabetes in its early stages."

During 2013-14, 1.3 million people accepted the offer of an NHS Health Check, a 9.5 percent increase compared to the previous year.