A report published to coincide with World Diabetes Day highlights that poorer people are more than twice as likely to suffer from diabetes than their richer counterparts.
The report lists reasons for the surge of this silent killer among deprived sections of society, calling for better health care and for a reduction in social inequalities. It also points out that the problem does not stop there, but moves on to other related aspects of health such as obesity, heart diseases and hypertension.
Published by Diabetes UK in association with the All Party Parliamentary Group for Diabetes, the report is titled, 'Diabetes and the disadvantaged: reducing health inequalities in the UK'. It points out that some of the reasons contributing to an increased risk for poorer people is their unhealthy diet and exercise. They are unable to access some of the better food products and exercise or fitness programs that richer people can avail of. Further, these groups are less likely to undergo regular health checkups such as blood sugar or blood pressure tests.
Already Briton's poorer sections have 2.5 times a greater risk of Type II diabetes and 3.5 times more chances of contracting ailments such as kidney damage, a stroke or cardiovascular diseases. Statistics reveal that in the North East parts of England, diabetes is 45% more among women and 18% more among men than the average of the country. The figures of people belonging to ethnic minorities who are in nursing homes or hospitals is 25% - eight times more than the average figure of just 3 %.
The report emphasizes that unless policy makers focus on these groups, they could result in becoming a 'forgotten generation' – condemned to live a life of poor health and inadequate facilities. The UK government has already started taking certain measures, one of which is the establishment of the National Service Framework for Diabetes.
A spokesperson emphasizes that the government is creating awareness and more accessible facilities for people with Black or Asian backgrounds, to promote healthier lifestyles. Douglas Smallwood, chief executive of Diabetes UK, however points out that the root of the matter is a socio-economic concern and hence an attitudinal shift is first required to combat the situation.
