More than 700 people a day are diagnosed with diabetes in the UK, according to new analysis by Diabetes UK and Tesco, which has extended its backing of the charity until the end of 2014.
The analysis, based on National Diabetes Audit data, means more than 280,000 people a year diagnosed with the condition, the equivalent of the population of Newcastle.
“It is deeply worrying that more than 700 people a day are being diagnosed with diabetes and this clearly shows the frightening scale of what is fast becoming a national health emergency,” said Barbara Young, chief executive of Diabetes UK.
“If we continue to see people being diagnosed at this rate then the consequences will be disastrous.”
Tesco community director Greg Sage said: “Diabetes is a growing and urgent health threat that needs immediate action. We’ve raised over £12m so far through our partnership with Diabetes UK, and today’s announcement means there will be more support for the millions of people living with diabetes from our colleagues and customers.”
Sage added that Tesco was also working to help people reduce their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by cutting billions of calories from its products and we removing sweets and chocolates from checkouts across all stores.
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