Diabetes doesn't affect everyone equally.
People from Black and South Asian communities and those living in poverty are at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. For all types of diabetes, these groups also face challenges in accessing the latest treatments and tech, basic check-ups and guidance they need. They tend to have worse health outcomes and more complications as a result.
There are lots of different factors that cause this inequity, and we are working on many different ways to tackle them.
On these pages, you can find out more about our work to tackle these factors at a national level, as well as advice for healthcare professionals working on inequity and resources for everyone who wants to help close the gap.
- Tackling Inequity explainer
- Tackling Inequity Strategy
- Tackling Inequity Resources
- Tackling Inequality Commission
- National Diabetes Audit
- Increasing diversity in research
- Get involved
Tackling inequity explainer
We made "Tackling Inequality" a core outcome driver of our 2020 strategy. Over the past five years, we have worked with people living with diabetes, frontline healthcare workers, academics, researchers and policy experts to develop our own work to be more inclusive and drive change, as well as to support and influence the changes we needed to see across governments, health systems and diabetes services.
As we look to the next five years, we will start to refer to this work as "Tackling Inequity", recognising the key difference between equity and equality. Equality is about ensuring everyone has the same access, support and treatment. Equity recognises that for some groups of people, there are greater barriers to access, so we need to ensure fairness by focusing resources where there is greatest need.
Tackling Inequity Strategy
Tackling inequity remains a top priority for Diabetes UK, and this strategy unites our internal efforts on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) with actions to challenge systemic inequalities.
- Find out more about our Tackling Inequity Strategy.
Tackling Inequity Resources
See our list of Tackling Inequity Resources, including guides, videos and information on our website, available in multiple languages, to learn more about diabetes.
Tackling Inequality Commission
The Diabetes UK Tackling Inequality Commission was launched in 2023 to address health inequalities in diabetes care. It focuses on understanding and tackling the factors that contribute to these disparities, especially for Black and South Asian communities and those living in poverty. The commission's report provides recommendations for healthcare professionals, policymakers, and organisations to improve equity in diabetes care.
National Diabetes Audit
Find out what reports have been published in the latest audits of diabetes care in England and Wales, and download and read our easy-to-read versions aimed at people with diabetes and the general public.
Increasing diversity in research
We're determined to involve more people from diverse backgrounds at every stage of research. This helps us focus on funding and supporting research that truly makes a difference for everyone affected by diabetes.
Get involved
Sign up to volunteer with us at events and local groups, or tell us about your experiences so we can make sure diabetes care is right for everyone.
People like you help us fight for a world where diabetes can do no harm. We can't do it without you. Share your existing skills or learn some new ones. We'll support you all the way.
