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Diabetes

Diabetes is a condition that causes a person's blood sugar level to become too high.

There are 2 main types of diabetes:

  • type 1 diabetes – a lifelong condition where the body's immune system attacks and destroys the cells that produce insulin
  • type 2 diabetes – where the body does not produce enough insulin, or the body's cells do not react to insulin properly

Type 2 diabetes is far more common than type 1. In the UK, over 90% of all adults with diabetes have type 2.

High blood sugar that develops during pregnancy is known as gestational diabetes. It usually goes away after giving birth.

The infographic (PDF, 617.4 KB) brings together key information about need and service use patterns alongside qualitative information and NICE guidelines.

The infographic (PDF, 617.4 KB) brings together key information about need and service use patterns alongside qualitative information and NICE guidelines.

  • The Diabetes profile provides information on the distribution and determinants of diabetes, measures of patient treatment and care and diabetes-related complications.
  • The Diabetes profile provides information on the distribution and determinants of diabetes, measures of patient treatment and care and diabetes-related complications.