Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Week 2026

Posted on May 26th, 2026

Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Week: Monday 25 and Sunday 31 May 

Type 2 diabetes is nobody’s fault. But it’s a serious condition that can impact your health significantly if it’s left untreated.

Millions of people in the UK don’t know they are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

An estimated 6.9 million people (1 in 8) live with prediabetes, but many are not aware of this. If left untreated, prediabetes can develop into type 2 diabetes, which can lead to serious health complications.

You are also at an increased risk of developing type 2 if you have had gestational diabetes — which affects up to 2 in 10 pregnancies.

There’s a range of risk factors at play, including family history and ethnic background but finding out your risk of developing type 2 diabetes means you can take action to protect your health.

Know Your Risk

NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme

The Healthier You NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme, also known as the Healthier You programme, identifies people at risk of developing type 2 diabetes and refers them onto a nine-month, evidence-based lifestyle change programme.

The Healthier You programme is available both as a face-to-face group service and as a digital service. When referred into the programme, people are free to choose between the two.

Did you know?

• You can reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes by eating a healthy, balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight and keeping physically active.
• People living with diabetes face a higher risk of heart disease, stroke, nerve damage, foot problems, vision loss and kidney problems.
• Some groups at higher risk of type 2 diabetes, 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).

To self-refer to the Healthier You NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme go to: About | Healthier You | Diabetes Prevention Programme