As Diabetes Drives Irreversible Organ Damage in 5.8 Million—Yet Daily CGM Use Could Halt the Crisis

Type 2 Diabetes is the fastest growing, yet largely preventable, health emergency in Britain, affecting almost 20% of the UK population (12 million people) and surging at a rate twelve times faster than cancer.  This compares to 5% of the UK population with cancer (3.5 million people).

Each week alone, the condition leads to 184 amputations, 812 strokes, 568 heart attacks, and 2,909 cases of heart failure—yet groundbreaking new evidence published in Endocrine Today shows that frequent use of continuous glucose monitors (CGM) delivers significantly greater glycaemic control in Type 2 diabetes patients, offering a clear route to prevent these devastating complications.​

Damage Begins Early—And Cannot Be Reversed

Diabetes is not simply elevated blood sugar. It is a chronic disease capable of inflicting slow, irreversible harm throughout the body long before symptoms appear. Persistently high glucose levels damage blood vessels and nerves, dramatically increasing the risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney failure requiring dialysis, lower-limb amputation, and preventable blindness.​

In the UK, diabetes is the leading cause of preventable sight loss in working-age adults and the second leading cause of kidney failure. The NHS spends approximately £10.7 billion annually on diabetes—40% on diagnosis and routine care, and £6.2 billion on largely preventable complications. 

“Much of this damage cannot be reversed once it begins,” warns Dr Dawn Harper, NHS GP, author, broadcaster and Medical Ambassador for the Anytime CGM. “This is why early awareness and proactive glucose management are essential.  I live with diabetes myself.  Wearing my CGM has helped me drop my HbA1c from 48 to 39. I would be telling a very different story (and potentially have a very different future) if I hadn’t had the opportunity to wear a CGM.”​ She continues, “I also believe, sadly, that diabetes alone could bankrupt the NHS in my lifetime.  Type 2 diabetes accounts for over 90% of the diabetic population – if we can tackle this at the grassroots of the disease and focus on prevention and remission, we have a chance to save the health of millions and the future of our NHS.”

CGM Delivers Greater Glycaemic Benefits for Type 2 Diabetes

New research published in Healio Endocrinology demonstrates that adults with Type 2 diabetes who use continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) frequently achieve significantly better glycaemic outcomes than those using traditional finger-prick testing. The study found that consistent CGM use resulted in improved time-in-range, reduced glucose variability, and better overall diabetes control—key factors in preventing the organ damage that claims hundreds of lives each week across the UK.​

Despite this evidence, CGM access remains limited. While NHS England has expanded CGM provision for Type 1 diabetes patients and some Type 2 cohorts, millions remain reliant on outdated monitoring methods that provide only snapshots of glucose levels rather than continuous insight.​

One in Three UK Adults Now at High Risk

The scale of the UK’s diabetes crisis is accelerating. More than one in three adults are now at high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, with diagnosed cases projected to exceed 5.7 million by the end of 2025. GP-recorded Type 2 diabetes prevalence rose to 7.0% in March 2024, up from 6.8% the previous year, marking the highest rate ever reported by the National Diabetes Audit.​

Age, weight, inactivity, and genetic predisposition all contribute to risk, yet the use of CGM enables personalised prevention and management strategies, supporting prevention and remission reducing, and in some cases negating, the use of pharmaceuticals.​

Call to Action: Early Detection, CGM Access, and Prevention

Yuwell Anytime CGM and Dr Dawn Harper are urging the UK government and NHS leaders to:

• Expand CGM access for all Type 2 diabetes patients who would benefit, following the evidence that frequent CGM use delivers superior glycaemic control.
• Prioritise early detection through expanded screening 
• Invest in prevention and education programmes to reach the 20 million+ adults at risk before they progress to full diagnosis and irreversible complications.​

“With better access to proven monitoring technologies like CGM, individuals can adopt healthier habits sooner, schedule more frequent screenings, and work with healthcare providers to manage their diabetes risk and / or disease,” says Dr Dawn.  “If diabetes is identified earlier, prevented more effectively, and managed with greater precision, we can change the trajectory of this devastating disease, one sensor, at a time.”​