There are currently more than half a million people in the UK who have Type 2 diabetes, but don’t yet know it - you could be one of them.
Diabetes is serious. If left untreated it can lead to heart disease, blindness, kidney disease and other life-threatening complications. But the good news is that if you spot your diabetes early you can greatly reduce the risk of serious health damage.
It is estimated that 13,000 people have diabetes in Stoke, with a further 2,400 undiagnosed. The Measure Up campaign aims to target people in the Stoke area, to ensure that they are aware of the risk factors of diabetes and motivate those at risk to have a test for diabetes. The main campaign activity take place between 9 March to 30 March 2009 and include 3 road shows. The campaign will urge people to take a quick waist measurement to check if they are at risk, alongside other risk factors including age, physical activity levels, fruit and vegetable intake, family history and a few others, as early diagnosis is crucial to avoid the complications. An assessment outlining the risk of developing diabetes over ten years is given.
An estimated 150,000 people went to get tested for diabetes during the campaign in 2006. In 2007 the Measure Up campaign activities running from the end of August until November aim to prompt even more people to get tested. In 2008 Diabetes UK took Measure Up to towns and cities across the UK via 21 Roadshows, testing 6,741 at-risk visitors and handing out nearly 20,000 goodie bags.
If you have any questions about the campaign please email measureup@diabetes.org.uk.