Diabetes Awareness Week – 9-14 June:
Understanding Diabetes and Why Early Support Matters
Diabetes Awareness Week, taking place from 9–14 June, is an important opportunity across the UK to raise awareness about diabetes, support people living with the condition, and encourage early diagnosis and prevention. For NHS, healthcare workers, carers, patients, and families, this week is about education, compassion, and improving long-term health outcomes for everyone affected by diabetes.
Diabetes is a lifelong health condition that causes blood glucose (blood sugar) levels to become too high. Glucose is important because it provides energy for the body. However, the hormone insulin is needed to help glucose move from the bloodstream into the body’s cells. In people with diabetes, the body either does not produce enough insulin or cannot use insulin effectively.
Living with diabetes often involves much more than medication alone. Patients may need regular blood tests, annual eye screenings, foot examinations, blood pressure checks, dietary support, and emotional wellbeing support. Healthcare workers understand that diabetes management is not always straightforward and that every patient faces unique challenges.
Types of diabetes
- Type 1 diabetes – is an autoimmune condition where the body attacks the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. It often develops in childhood or early adulthood but can happen at any age.
- Type 2 diabetes – is the most common form and is often linked with factors such as genetics, age, obesity, inactivity, and family history.
- Gestational diabetes – can develop during pregnancy and may increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
Common symptoms of diabetes include
- Increased thirst
- Tiredness
- Frequent urination
- Blurred vision
- Unexplained weight loss
- Slow-healing wounds
Long-term complications of diabetes
- Cardiovascular disease – damage to large blood vessels causes heart attacks, stroke, and peripheral arterial disease (reduced blood flow to legs and feet).
- Kidney damage – high blood sugar thickens kidney vessels, preventing them from filtering blood properly, which can lead to kidney failure.
- Eye damage – small vessels in the retina are damaged, causing leakage and potential blindness.
- Nerve damage – nerves often become damaged, causing pain, tingling, numbness, or burning sensations, commonly in the feet.
- Foot problems – due to poor circulation and nerve damage, minor wounds can become infected ulcers, which may lead to amputations.
- Gum and teeth disease – is the most common form and is often linked with factors such as genetics, age, obesity, inactivity, and family history.
- Sexual dysfunction – nerve and blood vessel damage can cause sexual dysfunction, including erectile dysfunction in men.
- Skin infections – diabetes increases the likelihood of skin infections and poor wound healing.
Healthcare workers play a vital role during Diabetes Awareness Week and throughout the year. Diabetes nurses, GPs, hospital consultants, pharmacists, dietitians, podiatrists, and support workers help patients understand their condition and manage it safely. Compassionate communication and personalised care make a significant difference to patients and families.
For patients living with diabetes, support and understanding are essential. Managing diabetes can involve daily blood glucose monitoring, medication, insulin injections, healthy eating, physical activity, and regular health checks. Many people also balance work, family responsibilities, and emotional challenges while managing their condition. A kind and supportive healthcare environment helps people feel more confident and empowered.
The NHS also encourages prevention wherever possible. For many people at risk of type 2 diabetes, lifestyle changes such as maintaining a healthy weight, improving diet, increasing physical activity, reducing smoking, and attending NHS prevention programmes can significantly lower risk.