UK’s South Asian population ‘unaware of increased diabetes and heart disease risks’

A recent survey by NHS Choices, the UK’s National Health Service website, has revealed that many South Asians are unaware of how much greater the risk of diabetes and heart disease is for their ethnic group.

Only 34 per cent knew that as a South Asian they were much more likely to suffer diabetes and only a quarter understood the increased risks of heart disease.

Lack of recognition is particularly prevalent amongst the younger population, with just a quarter of South Asian 16-24 year olds realising that they are at a much higher risk of diabetes and only 15 per cent knowing that they’re at a much higher risk of heart disease.

This lack of understanding means that fewer people are making positive changes to lead a healthier lifestyle. Only 34 per cent have stopped using ghee, which is high in both cholesterol and fat, in their cooking.

The statistics also suggest lack of awareness of how much exercise is needed to keep healthy with 40 per cent not knowing that the recommended amount is 30 minutes a day on three to five days a week.

For this reason, NHS Choices aims to increase knowledge about South Asian health conditions by producing specific information available at www.nhs.uk/southasianhealth to provide tips and advice on how to eat more healthily and take exercise.

Dr Justin Zaman, chair of the cardiovascular working group at the South Asian Health Foundation and cardiologist at University College London Hospital, commented: “Diabetes is five times more prevalent and the death rate from heart disease is around 50 per cent higher in South Asians than the UK population as a whole. This survey shows that, while there is some recognition that people from a South Asian background are more likely to get diabetes, there isn’t sufficient understanding of how much higher the risks are.”

He added that accessing reliable information from NHS Choices would help people to make better lifestyle choices.

The survey questioned South Asians about their awareness of hereditary diseases and their cooking and exercise habits.

NHS Choices at www.nhs.uk is the UK’s most popular online source of health information, attracting eight million visits a month. It offers comprehensive A-Z advice on health conditions, guides to local health services and a daily analysis of the science behind the medical headlines.