Leicester Changing Diabetes

The Cities Changing Diabetes programme was developed to get cities worldwide to set goals and design interventions to drive down the number of people with type 2 diabetes in their city. Meeting these goals requires working together across sectors and disciplines, uniting stakeholders behind a common cause.

The world is rapidly urbanising, changing not just where we live, but the way we live. Today, the way cities are designed, built and run risks fuelling the health challenges of their citizens.

Urban environments are already home to two-thirds of people with diabetes. This makes cities the front line in the fight against type 2 diabetes – and where we must take action to hold back the alarming rise of the condition. 

Since the programme was launched in 2014, a total of 22 cities worldwide – including Leicester – have joined in a bid to tackle the increased risk of type 2 diabetes among certain people who live in cities.

In 2017, Leicester became the first UK and the third European city to join the global programme. Leicester was selected on a number of criteria, including the strength of the Leicester Diabetes Centre, who is leading the work; having an ethnically and culturally diverse population; and as a city, it is both passionate and motivated in supporting its community members to help prevent type 2 diabetes and support those who live with it on a daily basis.

Leicester was announced as the first UK city to join the Cities Changing Diabetes network in autumn 2017. The LDC is leading the work in Leicester alongside key stakeholders such as The Centre for Black and Minority Ethnic Health, Leicester City Council, Leicester’s sports clubs amongst others.

For more information please visit: www.leicesterchangingdiabetes.com