A new study reveals a faster-than-expected rise in type 2 diabetes among younger adults in England, urging more focused screening and lifestyle interventions to curb the accelerating epidemic.
Type 2 diabetes is rising faster in England than many health planners expected, with a new analysis suggesting that diagnoses are climbing most sharply among younger adults.
According to a study by Naomi Holman and colleagues published in The Lancet Regional Health – Europe, incidence data from England’s National Diabetes Audit showed overall rates increasing from 4.07 to 4.54 cases per 1,000 population between 2011 and 2024. The steepest jump came in 2022-23, and the upward pattern was seen across most age groups, with the exception of people aged 60 to 79, where incidence fell over time.
The sharpest increases were recorded among adults in their 20s and 30s. Imperial College London said the study found diagnoses rising particularly quickly among women, adding to concerns that the disease is appearing earlier in life and leaving patients exposed to longer-term complications. The Guardian reported in 2024 that diagnoses among people under 40 had risen 39% over six years, with researchers pointing to obesity, inequality and cheap unhealthy food as major drivers.
The new analysis also suggests the apparent rise may reflect both worsening risk factors and better detection. The authors said expanded screening, including HbA1c testing, may be identifying more cases, while the disruption to routine care during the Covid-19 pandemic may have weakened prevention efforts. Other research reinforces the role of diet: studies in the UK Whitehall II cohort and UK Biobank have linked ultra-processed foods, pro-inflammatory eating patterns and higher salt intake with a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes. GlobalData epidemiologists now project diagnosed prevalent cases in the UK will rise from 4.74 million to 5.04 million between 2026 and 2028, but say the trend could accelerate further if the current pattern continues.
Public health experts say the findings strengthen the case for earlier, more targeted prevention. Holman’s team recommends age- and sex-specific efforts focused on diet, physical activity and weight control, alongside more intensive screening for young people with pre-diabetes. The broader message, they argue, is that monitoring alone will not be enough unless it is matched by interventions that reach those now entering the highest-risk years of adult life.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
