Mortality and illness JSNA

Diabetes

The prevalence of diabetes in the borough of Rochdale is 8.8 per cent of the adult population (Quality Outcomes Framework, 2021/22). This is above the national rate of 7.3 per cent.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a lifelong condition that causes a person's blood sugar level to become too high. There are 2 main types of diabetes:

  • Type 1 - In type 1 diabetes the body's immune system attacks and destroys the cells that produce insulin.
  • Type 2 - In type 2 diabetes the body doesn't produce enough insulin, or the body's cells don't react to insulin.

Diabetes risk factors

About 90% of adults currently diagnosed have type 2 diabetes (Diabetes UK, 2019a). The main risk factors in developing diabetes are:

  • Being aged over 40, or over 25 in some black and minority ethnic populations
  • Having a close relative such as a parent, sibling or child with diabetes
  • Being of South Asian, African-Caribbean or Black African descent
  • Having ever had high blood pressure
  • Being overweight

There is also an increased risk after a heart attack or stroke and if you have schizophrenia, bipolar illness or depression.

Health problems caused by diabetes

If not managed correctly, diabetes can lead to a range of serious health problems such as heart disease, stroke, nerve damage, foot problems such as infections which in extreme cases can lead to gangrene and loss of limbs, vision loss and blindness, kidney problems and miscarriage and stillbirths.

Statistics on diabetes

Information and guidance on diabetes