Our Know Your Risk tool aims to help individuals find out their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes within the next ten years and was developed in collaboration with the University of Leicester and University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust.
The 2012 NICE public health guidance Preventing type 2 diabetes: risk identification and interventions for individuals at high risk recommended that GPs and other primary healthcare professionals use the tool for identifying people at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Evidence-based points system
Know Your Risk is evidence-based and consists of seven simple questions related to age, gender, ethnicity, family history, waist measurement, Body Mass Index and blood pressure. It uses a points system to identify if a person is at low, increased, moderate or high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Based on this score, advice is provided in the form of lifestyle changes or a GP referral.
The Know Your Risk tool is particularly useful for people who:
- do not fall within the NHS Health Check age range, as anyone over the age of 18 can use it (with the exception of pregnant women)
- are from Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups (who are at increased risk of diabetes)
- are from socially deprived groups who are at greater diabetes risk and less likely to access local healthcare services.
Avoids false reassurance
Know Your Risk should be used in preference to the finger prick test, as it takes into consideration the risk factors for diabetes. This avoids falsely reassuring people who may have a normal blood glucose level but might still be at risk of developing the condition.
Interested in using our Know Your Risk tool in your line of work?
In many cases, we can provide you with all you need, free of charge.
Know Your Risk is intended for you to use free of charge if you intend to use it as:
- a healthcare professional in the NHS or private healthcare
- a healthcare professional in an NHS pharmacy, independent pharmacy, or group pharmacy of 20 branches or fewer
- a student or lecturer in an educational institute.
Know Your Risk may not be free of charge if you intend to use it:
- in a non-NHS workplace occupational health
- in a group pharmacy of more than 20 branches
- in the fitness industry
- in a commercial setting
- with the intention of making monetary gain.
