24,000 diabetes English diabetes deaths a year ‘are avoidable’

As many as 24,000 deaths from diabetes in England per year could be avoided through improved management of the condition, according to a report.

Data from the National Diabetes Audit has revealed that a large number of diabetes sufferers are dying due to preventable factors, such as not receiving proper health checks, leading an unhealthy lifestyle or failing to adhere to prescribed treatments.

Other findings from the report highlight groups that are particularly at risk of diabetes-related mortality, including women aged between 15 and 34 or elderly patients aged over 65.

Meanwhile, regional variations were also observed in terms of diabetes death rates, with the lowest being in London and the highest seen in the north-east.

Dr Bob Young, consultant diabetologist and clinical lead for the National Diabetes Information Service, said: "The rate of new diabetes is increasing every year. So, if there are no changes, the impact of diabetes on national mortality will increase."

This comes after Diabetes UK issues a call for improved diabetes health checks in Britain earlier this week.