On Friday 11 July, Diabetes UK launched a new five-year strategy, ‘No One Left Behind: Achieving Equity in Diabetes (2025-2030)’. The strategy sets out clear actions, measurable targets, and a commitment to intersectionality for ensuring that people from all backgrounds have access to high-quality diabetes care.
At the Centre for Research Equity (CfRE), we are pleased to have contributed to this strategy and welcome the opportunity to continue our work with Diabetes UK and wider partners to reduce the harm caused by diabetes in communities who are too often overlooked.
“We know that diabetes hits some communities much harder than others, and that these gaps are caused by deep-rooted issues like poverty, discrimination and barriers to healthcare. This new plan recognises those challenges and sets out real, practical actions to make care more equal and inclusive”-Mahendra Patel, Director of CfRE.
Why action is needed
Millions of people in the UK are living with diabetes, but the impact is not the same for everyone. Some groups are much more likely to:
- Develop type 2 diabetes at a younger age
- Experience complications like kidney disease, foot problems or sight loss
- Receive less effective care
- Struggle to access the tools and support they need to manage their condition
This unfairness is often worse for people from Black, South Asian, or poorer backgrounds, people with disabilities, and those living in certain areas. For example:
- People with type 1 diabetes in the poorest areas die eight years earlier than those in the richest areas.
- Black and South Asian people are up to four times more likely to get type 2 diabetes before age 40.
- Children in the poorest areas are five times more likely to get type 2 diabetes than those in the wealthiest areas.
- Black and South Asian people with diabetes are 1.5 times more likely to have serious kidney problems than White people.
“Being a diabetic patient is really expensive, especially when you don’t have many sources of income. You know, the diabetes, it takes all my money, and I really feel bad about it.”
— Person with type 2 diabetes living in an area of deprivation
What will change?
The new strategy focusses on five areas of action to help address these challenges:
- Improve support for those people most affected
This includes making sure information and services are inclusive, culturally relevant, and easy to access, especially for people from South Asian, Black, and low-income communities.
- Build better evidence and make research work for everyone
The strategy aims to improve who is involved in research and how it is done, so it reflects the real experiences of all communities. Diabetes UK will also fund more researchers from underrepresented backgrounds and push for national data to include people with disabilities, people experiencing homelessness, and other underserved groups.
- Push for policy changes that tackle the root causes
Diabetes UK will campaign for action on the wider factors that affect people’s health – such as access to healthy food, secure housing, and stable work – and will challenge stigma about diabetes wherever it appears.
- Work with the NHS and others to improve care
This means making sure that prevention, diagnosis and treatment are delivered fairly and reach the people who need them most. The strategy set a goal: by 2030, 90% of people with diabetes should get all the care they need, no matter their background.
- Lead by example as a diverse and inclusive organisation
Diabetes UK will continue work to make sure its staff, volunteers, panels and processes reflect the diversity of the people they serve.
What next?
At the Centre for Research Equity (CfRE), we believe everyone should have a fair chance at good health.
We are excited to work with Diabetes UK and others to:
- Support research led by local communities
- Make sure studies include everyone, not just some groups
- Use data to find out where the biggest problems are and how to fix them
The new strategy focuses on understanding the root causes of health inequities, using evidence to improve services, and building stronger relationships with communities most affected by diabetes. We will:
- Work with Diabetes UK and community groups
- Speak up for changes based on real evidence and stories
- Help train new researchers from all backgrounds
We welcome this shared commitment to research that benefits all communities and look forward to working alongside Diabetes UK, community partners, and others to make this vision a reality.
Read the full strategy here: Tackling Inequity Strategy | Diabetes UK
See the list of resources Tackling Inequity Resources | Diabetes UK
For more information or to get involved, contact the Centre for Research Equity or Diabetes UK.