This profile looks at the prevalence of diabetes and dementia across North Yorkshire.
Complications from diabetes result in considerable morbidity and have a detrimental impact on quality of life. Type 2 diabetes is typically associated with excess weight, and can be prevented or delayed by lifestyle changes. To implement effective interventions, it is important to identify all cases.
The gap between observed prevalence (the number of diabetes cases recorded) and the actual prevalence (observed plus those who are undiagnosed) helps to quantify those who may be untreated. In North Yorkshire, it is estimated that only 71% of diabetes cases are diagnosed, significantly lower than both Yorkshire and the Humber (81%) and England (78%). Selby (85%) is the only district with a rate that is significantly higher than England. All other districts are significantly below the England rate.
The NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme aims to identify those at high risk of developing diabetes and the NHS Health Checks programme routinely tests for those at risk of developing diabetes.
The Government and NHS have set a commitment that at least two-thirds of people living with dementia receive a formal diagnosis. Like the England rate (69%), North Yorkshire (65%) is not significantly different from the target of 66.7%. There are 5,845 people aged 65+ with a formal dementia diagnosis in North Yorkshire.
Only Harrogate Borough (79%) has a diagnosis rate significantly higher than the target. Hambleton (56%), Ryedale (53%) and Scarborough (58%) all have estimated diagnosis rates that are significantly lower than the 66.7% target. Timely diagnosis of dementia enables the people living with dementia, their carers and healthcare staff to work together and plan accordingly. The lower rates of diagnosis in some districts requires investigation to determine how to improve early intervention for the portion of the affected population who do not have a formal diagnosis.
