Today, (Thursday 27th January 2022) NHS Fife will be launching a public awareness campaign, encouraging those most as risk from developing Type 2 Diabetes to sign-up for free adult weight management support and advice.

The pilot campaign funded by the Scottish Government and the East of Scotland Type 2 Diabetes Programme Board will run throughout February with the aim of increasing awareness of the condition and the impact on health, whilst highlighting the range of easily accessible local support available to adults in Fife to help reduce the risk of developing the condition.

The campaign will initially be trialled in the Dunfermline, Cowdenbeath and Lochgelly and if successful may be rolled out across the Kingdom and adopted for a Scotland wide campaign later this year.

The campaign entitled ‘Walk away from Type 2 Diabetes’ features local landmarks and an image of a person walking away from modern-day habits that may contribute to Type 2 Diabetes and encouraging us all to make some small lifestyle changes that can make a huge difference in reducing the risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes.

The campaign has been designed to resonate with those deemed at higher risk of developing the condition, primarily males over 40 years old who struggle to maintain a healthy weight. It will feature local radio, bus shelters, billboards as well as social and local media adverts.

A dedicated campaign web page www.nhsfife.org/walkaway , has been created which includes an easy to complete, confidential self-referral form to allow individuals to contact the Fife weight management team direct for free and impartial advice and practical support.

Kerry Aitken, Dietitian and Clinical Lead for Adult Weight Management and Diabetes Prevention Service in NHS Fife and the East of Scotland Type 2 Diabetes Partnership

“Type 2 Diabetes has been increasing across Scotland for the past decade. It has a significant impact on the lives of individuals and on the health and wellbeing of our local communities.

“Developing Type 2 Diabetes in later life is not inevitable. We can all make small changes in our lifestyle that can have a lasting and positive impact on our health. This campaign aims to create awareness of the condition and empower people to act now and with the right advice, help and support, they can significantly reduce their risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes.

“NHS Fife is offering free advice and support to those identified most as risk and we are encouraging individuals, particularly males aged 40 or over who can find it difficult to manage a healthy weight to get in touch. You can access the service by completing our simple online self-referral form at: www.nhsfife.org/walkaway, or by calling us on 01383 674086 and follow in the footsteps of other Fifers that have already benefited from our free personalised weight management programme.”

/ENDS

 

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) has been increasing across Scotland for the past decade. It has a significant impact on the lives of individuals and on the health and wellbeing of our population.

In 2018 the Scottish Government published the Type 2 Diabetes Prevention, Early Detection and Early Intervention Framework recognising the impact Type 2 Diabetes has on the health and wellbeing of our population.

The East of Scotland Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Partnership brings together health and social care providers in Lothian, Fife and Borders as well as partners from public, third and private sectors to advance changes in services to prevent diabetes.

As one of three Early Adopter Sites the East of Scotland Partnership implements the national Framework for Prevention, Early Detection and Early Intervention of Type 2 Diabetes. The work of the Partnership also contributes to Scotland’s Diet and Healthy Weight Delivery Plan and to Public Health Priority 6.

As part of the Adult Weight Management workstream the East of Scotland Partnership is delivering a Public Awareness Campaign to increase awareness of T2D and the associated risk factors and highlight the local support available to adults at risk of T2D.

Audio:

Dietitian, Kerry Aitken, talks about the effects of Type 2 Diabetes and what is being done to reduce the numbers of those developing the condition [DOWNLOAD]