Worcester shoppers are being encouraged to take a few minutes to check their risk of developing type 2 diabetes as part of a national awareness campaign.
Tesco and Diabetes UK are encouraging people to use the free Diabetes UK Know Your Risk tool, which can help identify whether someone may be at increased risk in just a few minutes.
The condition can lead to complications such as heart disease, stroke, and sight loss if left unmanaged but recent research revealed that 42 per cent of UK adults have never considered their risk of developing it.
Douglas Twenefour, head of clinical at Diabetes UK, said: “Around 6.9 million people in the UK are at increased risk of type 2 diabetes, but taking small steps can make a big difference.
“Diabetes UK’s free, online Know Your Risk tool can help you understand your risk in just a few minutes, and offers advice on how to reduce it if needed.”
Tesco is offering additional support through its pharmacy network.
Tom Lye, category director for health and wellness at Tesco, said: “Through our partnership with Diabetes UK, we’re encouraging people to use the free Know Your Risk tool to better understand their risk of type 2 diabetes.
“If customers have concerns or questions, our trained pharmacy colleagues are on hand in over 350 Tesco pharmacies to offer advice and support.”
The campaign follows a survey of 2,000 adults, which found that 71 per cent had not checked their risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
A lack of awareness was the biggest barrier, with 27 per cent believing they were not at risk, and 24 per cent unsure of how to check.
The online Know Your Risk tool is available at riskscore.diabetes.org.uk/tesco.
Anyone concerned about their risk or needing guidance can also speak to a trained pharmacist at participating Tesco stores.