Research we funded has revealed people with type 1 diabetes living in socially deprived areas of Scotland are more likely to develop diabetes complications sooner and die earlier, than those in less deprived areas.
To lead healthy lives, people need an income that meets their needs, good housing and access to quality education and services. Without these building blocks for good health, managing diabetes and avoiding long term complications is even more challenging. Our researchers are working to better understand how social factors affect diabetes outcomes.
In a new study funded by Diabetes UK, Professor Helen Colhoun and her team set out to look at health inequalities experienced by people with type 1 diabetes in Scotland.
They analysed the health records of everyone aged 50 years and older with type 1 diabetes living in Scotland in 2013 and grouped them according to the level of deprivation in the area where they lived, ranging from the most deprived to the least deprived.
The research team then tracked who developed diabetes complications to their eyes, feet, heart or kidneys over the next five years. They also used information about mortality rates to predict the number of years people could typically expect to live for.
What the findings showed
The findings revealed large gaps in both life expectancy and years spent without diabetes complications depending on where people live.
People living in the most deprived areas experienced a double disadvantage: they had the lowest life expectancy and were more likely to develop complications earlier in life.
The team discovered that people with type 1 diabetes living in the most deprived areas died on average eight years earlier than those living in the least deprived areas. This difference was most noticeable in people with higher average blood sugar levels (HbA1c levels), and those who smoked regularly.
The findings also showed that people with type 1 diabetes in the most deprived areas spent about five fewer years free from complications compared to those in the least deprived areas. This gap was most clearly seen in the youngest age group. At age 50-54, only 47.7% of men and 41.2% of women living in the most deprived areas were free from complications. This compared to 72% of men and 65% of women in the least deprived areas.
The journey ahead
To lead healthy lives, people need an income that meets their needs, good housing and access to quality education and services. Without these building blocks for good health, managing diabetes and avoiding long-term complications is even more challenging.
Everyone with diabetes deserves to live long and healthy lives, whoever they are and wherever they live. We are committed to addressing unfair and avoidable health inequalities in diabetes. You can read about our commitments here, including ways to get involved if you are a healthcare professional.
Getting the support you need to live well with diabetes
If you're worried about the issues raised in this article, there's lots of help and advice available. You can find personalised advice on living well with diabetes in our Learning Zone, and can also look for local support groups near you, or ring our helpline if you need to chat.
