DIABETES causes more than one in nine deaths among 20 to 79-year-olds in Kirklees, says a charity.
New research from Diabetes UK says the condition accounted for 218 deaths – 12.29% of all deaths – in 2005. In the same year across Yorkshire 11.74% of deaths had been caused by diabetes.
In Calderdale 108 people – 11.8% of all deaths – died from the condition.
The charity says adults under 80 with the diabetes are around twice as likely to die as those without the condition.
And it adds that while 200,000 people in the region are diagnosed with diabetes, 55,000 are unaware they have condition.
Linda Wood, Diabetes UK Northern and Yorkshire manager, said: “These new figures are truly alarming and confirm that diabetes is one of the biggest health challenges facing the UK.
“Good self- management, awareness and improved access to specialist diabetes care services are crucial if we are to curb this growing health crisis and see a reduction in the number of people dying from diabetes and complications attributed to the condition.”
For more information about diabetes visit www.diabetes.org.uk or call 0845 120 2960.
