More than twelve million people, 1 in 5 adults currently live with diabetes or prediabetes in the UK. An estimated 1.3 million people with Type 2 diabetes remain undiagnosed, increasing the risk of further complications due to delayed treatment. Raising awareness, encouraging early diagnosis and supporting research-driven innovation are essential in improving patient outcomes.

Natalie Gardiner, Professor of Neuroscience and Vice Dean for Social Responsibility in the Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, investigates diabetic neuropathy a secondary complication of diabetes associated with nerve damage. This can lead to numbness, loss of sensation and tissue damage, resulting in an increased risk of infection and lower limb amputation.

Exploring how diabetes alters neurons and the nerve’s support environment, Professor Gardiner’s research aims to inform development of effective therapeutic strategies to treat or prevent diabetic neuropathy.

Professor Gardiner took the opportunity on World Diabetes Day to speak about how researchers at The University of Manchester are contributing to efforts to improve diabetes awareness and care through research and innovation to drive meaningful change, Watch the full video.

Despite the rise of diabetes reaching an all-time high, diagnosis, accessibility to treatment and specialist care are not evenly distributed across the country. Some regions experience:

• Longer wait times for referrals;
• Limited access to diabetes education;
• Accessibility to technology-supported treatment options.

The area that you live and work in contributes to the likelihood of developing Type 2 diabetes. Factors such as obesity, poverty, and ethnicity also play a role, with Black and South Asian communities being at higher risk. These inequalities can impact patient outcomes, leading to higher rates of complications in underserved communities.

Working together across clinical, academic and community settings, we can strive to reduce inequalities and support healthier futures for people living with diabetes.

• The Manchester Diabetes Centre and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust lead research to prevent and manage diabetes complications, turning findings into better care.
• Christabel Pankhurst Institute’s Diabetes and Hypoglycaemia Technology Network connects clinicians, researchers, industry and patient groups to position Manchester as a world-leading hub for innovative, accessible diabetes solutions.
• Find out more about the University’s diabetes research initiatives.
• You can check your risk of Type 2 diabetes through the UK Diabetes Risk Tool.