According to new research, it turns out that type 2 diabetes has the “greatest toll on life expectancy” as far as smokers, younger people and women are concerned.
These findings are part of research that involved over 11,000 diabetes patients from Salford and the risk became obvious since 3921 participants passed away during the study period as opposed to the 2135 expected victims.
The statistics show that there is an 84 percent higher death risk amongst those who suffer from diabetes when compared to the general population.
The research also proved that specifically, women with type 2 diabetes were at an even higher risk!
More precisely, the risk was 96 percent for women when for men, while still concerning, it was much lower – 74 percent.
This conclusion was really unexpected, taking the scientists by surprise, due to the fact that it was previously believed that type 2 diabetes affects men’s health more.
The researchers also pointed out that before this study, it was generally assumed that people in England have a 50-70 percent higher risk of passing away from diabetes when compared to the average risk percentages all over the world.
Women in particular, tend to live around 5 years less because of type 2 diabetes.
Salford Royal Hospital doctor, Adrian Heald, stated that “Our modelling suggests that type 2 diabetes has a greater effect on women’s life expectancy, of smokers and those diagnosed at an earlier age. A woman diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, for example, might live 5 years less than women in the general population average, while somebody diagnosed at a younger age might lose 8 years of life expectancy.”
Since the risk is so great, raising awareness is vital as it could motivate people to make lifestyle changes that could really save them.
Doctor Heald explained that “Doing so might make the health advice they are given seem more relevant and helping them make changes can improve their quality and length of life.”
According to the Harvard School of Public Health “Losing 7 to 10 percent of your weight can cut your chances of developing type 2 diabetes in half.”
In addition, walking at least 30 minutes per day can reduce the risk by 30 percent since exercise improves the muscles’ ability to absorb glucose and use insulin.
