One million people join NHS diabetes prevention programme

New figures show more than a million people in England have now signed up to the NHS’s flagship programme to help prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.

The Healthier You Programme, which launched in 2016, offers personalised support on healthy eating, weight management and physical activity – either in person or digitally.

Latest figures from NHS England suggest some 1,002,430 people are signed up for the programme, which lasts for nine months.

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This is an update from May 2025, at which point more than 900,000 people had signed up to the scheme.

A review by Manchester University found participants in the initiative see their risk of developing type 2 diabetes cut by 37%, with an average weight loss of 3.3kg.

Dr Clare Hambling, NHS England’s national clinical director for diabetes and obesity, said: ‘This transformative NHS programme is improving the nation’s health and empowering people across England to lead healthier lives, which is fantastic.

‘Doing nothing on this major public health challenge is not an option for the NHS, so we will continue to develop and roll out world-leading initiatives such as our Healthier You Programme.’

People can self-register onto the programme if they have been identified as being at risk of developing type 2 diabetes from their blood sugars, or request a direct referral from their GP.

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Health minister Baroness Merron said: ‘Reaching one million participants is a tremendous milestone, but we know there is more to do, so we will continue to invest in prevention to transform our NHS.’

Around two million people in England each year are vulnerable to developing the condition, and estimates suggest 5.5 million people in the UK will be living with type 2 diabetes by 2030.

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

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Diabetes UK’s online ‘Know Your Risk’ tool, which has been used over 3.3 million times, allows people to assess their personal risk score for developing type 2 diabetes.

Colette Marshall, chief executive at Diabetes UK, said: ‘The first step is knowing your risk. Diabetes UK’s free, online Know Your Risk tool is a great place to start.’