NHS England data showed over 900,000 adults at high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes have started using the NHS's Healthier You Programme to improve their health, since it was launched in 2016.

Dr Clare Hambling, national clinical director for diabetes and obesity at NHS England, said: ‘Type 2 diabetes and obesity are both major public health challenges for this country, so it is great to see that this world-leading NHS initiative is preventing Type 2 diabetes – and empowering hundreds of thousands of people across England to lead healthier lives.'

The Healthier You Programme lasts nine months and is designed to stop or delay the onset of Type 2 diabetes by giving people personalised support, either face-to-face or digitally, on healthier eating, maintaining a healthy weight and keeping physically active.

Research by Manchester University found completing the programme reduced the chance of developing Type 2 diabetes by 37% and participants typically achieve an average weight loss of 3.3kg.

The NHS in England typically spends around £10.7bn a year on identifying and treating diabetes.

Health leaders are urging people to become more aware of their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes during Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Week 2025 (26 May to 1 June).