Health problems such as poor diet, drinking and smoking are costing the NHS in England more than £11billion each year, the Public Health England (PHE) say.

Furthermore, officials from the Government body say that unless lifestyle issues are tackled more effectively the NHS will become unaffordable. It warns conditions such as diabetes and smoking-related bronchitis are a new and untreatable epidemic.

With regards to diabetes, the PHE has also stated in September that whilst 3.8 million people are estimated to have both types of diabetes, approximately 90% of diabetes cases are Type 2; this is largely preventable or manageable by lifestyle changes and also provides additional benefits for health and wellbeing. The likelihood of developing Type 2 diabetes is increased by being overweight (although family history, ethnicity and age can also increase risk).

The figures reiterate that diabetes is an increasing burden of ill health, underlining the need for urgent action to lessen the impact on individuals, as well as the health and social care system supporting them.
The model suggests that 1 in 4 people with diabetes, an estimated 940,000, are unaware of their condition. The disease can lead to serious complications including foot amputation and kidney disease, and is associated with an increased risk of stroke and heart attack.

At Healthy Performance our employee health screenings offer a SAME day health report which will enable your employees to identify lifestyle issues which need improvement.  We look at a wide-range of health issues which are affected by lifestyle such as blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol.  For further information please contact us.