Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Responds To Shock Diabetes Statistics, UK

Main Category: Diabetes
Article Date: 12 Aug 2008 - 3:00 PDT

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Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) has called for more action to be taken to increase awareness of type 1 diabetes and its devastating complications, following shocking statistics released by Diabetes UK. These figures suggest one in ten adult deaths in England are caused by diabetes. The organisation, the leading charitable funder of type 1 diabetes research in the world, wants more funding for research into the condition.

The Diabetes UK research indicates that the condition is responsible for 11.6 per cent of deaths among 20 to 79-year-olds in England. This was calculated by combining research evidence, diabetes prevalence estimates and population and mortality data.

Whilst the complication that arises from the condition is listed as the cause of death, diabetes itself is often not recorded on the death certificate. Experts say that, for this reason, the number of deaths attributable to diabetes, and the seriousness of the condition, has consistently been underestimated.

JDRF has this year committed £100million to type 1 diabetes research having spent £75million last year. Projects investigating the causes and prevention of type 1 diabetes and its complications, brings the cure for the condition closer and JDRF is funding more than 30 studies in the UK alone this year. Research studies such as the artificial pancreas trials at the University of Cambridge, which could help thousands living with the condition in the UK achieve better blood glucose control, are also paving the way for better treatments.

Sarah Johnson, Director of Policy and Communications at JDRF, said: "These figures demonstrate why it is so important JDRF continues to raise awareness of this chronic condition, to ensure people receive the best possible care and treatment.

"Good management of diabetes can help reduce the risk of complications such as heart disease, stroke and kidney disease. Type 1 diabetes affects around 350,000 people in the UK so what we really need is to find the cure for the condition. Only research will find the cure and JDRF exists to fund that research."

About type 1 diabetes

- Type 1 diabetes is a serious, life threatening condition caused by the body's own immune system destroying insulin producing cells in the pancreas.

- Insulin is vital because it converts glucose from food into energy and a lack of insulin quickly results in serious illness and, if untreated, death.

- Multiple daily insulin injections and blood tests are essential just to stay alive but are not a cure and can not prevent the long term, potentially devastating complications including blindness, limb amputations, kidney failure, heart disease and strokes.

- Type 1 diabetes strikes suddenly and without warning, usually in childhood and remains for life.

About JDRF

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) is the leading charitable funder of type 1 diabetes research worldwide. JDRF has been responsible for more than £600 million direct funding of the most promising and groundbreaking type 1 diabetes research around the world.

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation