One in Ten Campaign to Reduce Diabetes and Stroke Risk

During a two week campaign Wales is offering free walk-in assessments in pharmacies across the country to predict those who may be most at risk of diabetes or stroke.

It is thought that as much as 10% of the people in Wales could have increased risk or either of these two debilitating conditions and hopes to find them in their One in Ten Project.

An estimated 350,000 people in the country could have an elevated risk of developing type two diabetes and every year 11,000 people suffer strokes. Diabetes is a chronic illness that takes continuous monitoring and treatment and could lead to further complications. Stroke, depending on its severity, can lead to paralysis or even death.

As pharmacies can be found in most cities, towns and even villages they are an ample place to carry out such assessments. During June 2011 a similar campaign was carried out that checked people for risk of diabetes and of the 17,500 people assessed, 8.4% had a high risk and 24% had an increased risk of developing the disease.

The assessment is designed to spot factors that put people at greater risk of the two diseases, including diet, being overweight and being a smoker. If the person is considered to be at risk, a referral will be passed on to their GP for further treatment or advice.

By spotting those who may be risk, it means that for most all that is needed is lifestyle changes, which will in turn decrease their chances. As well as tackling this, it can spur people to improve their general health and fitness, something that is important for things such as having the stamina for hobbies and sports, day-to-day activities and also your mental wellbeing. It can also influence things you may not have considered, such as your ability to take out health or travel insurance policies – companies are likely to increase premiums for those with bad health.

With hundreds of thousands of people potentially being at risk from these two major illnesses, rolling out such a widespread campaign will hopefully bring awareness to as many of them as possible. As with many illnesses, being able to detect them early and start taken the right steps as soon as possible will bring better results and hopefully even save lives.