PEOPLE in Bradford are being encouraged to know their diabetes risk and how to reduce it.

Awareness adverts are being carried on buses, bus shelters and at rail stations from this month with the simple message: “If you’re concerned about Type 2 diabetes, talk to your pharmacist or GP for healthy living advice. It’s important that everyone understands their risk and how to reduce it.”

The message is also being broadcast over the airwaves of local radio stations to help people learn more about the risk factors and what local NHS support is available to help them stay well and healthy.

The adverts are part of the Bradford Beating Diabetes (BBD) NHS campaign which has already been highlighting the most common type of diabetes, Type 2, and the steps people can take to reduce it.

Run by Bradford City and Bradford Districts clinical commissioning groups (CCGs), it has been giving people the chance to improve their health by getting a diabetes check-up and, if needed, advice and support to improve their lifestyle and cut their diabetes risk.

Dr Sohail Abbas, diabetes lead at Bradford City CCG, said: “We hope as many people as possible see the adverts because we want to prevent as many people as we can from developing Type 2 diabetes, as well as providing excellent care and advice to those who have the condition.

“The number of people living with, and at high risk of, Type 2 diabetes is rising locally and nationally, but our message is that catching it early, with treatment and changes to diet and exercise, could help people control the condition much more easily. Many people are able to prevent the disease completely.”

The CCGs are working with thousands of people who have been identified as being at high risk of developing diabetes.

Letters are being sent to all those people who are already at moderate or high risk, so they come to their GP practice for another blood test to check their glucose levels, a key indicator of diabetes. Depending on the results, they will be offered a tailor-made package of treatment and advice.

Those most at risk get the chance to go to an informal diabetes prevention programme which can also help reduce the risk of developing other serious conditions like cancer, stroke and heart disease.

Anyone concerned about diabetes can talk to their pharmacist or GP, or visit betterhealthbradford.nhs.uk/BBD

Sunday sees the start of National Diabetes Week with the theme of ‘Setting the record straight’. Charity Diabetes UK says the condition is still hugely misunderstood and there are so many myths out there.

It wants patients to share straight talking stories, facts and videos to let everyone know the truth.