Diabetes prevention

What is diabetes and how can we prevent it?

Diabetes is a long-term condition that causes a person's blood sugar level to become too high. There are two main types of diabetes – type 1 and type 2. Type 2 diabetes is far more common than type 1 diabetes, which is an autoimmune disease and cannot be prevented.  

In type 2 diabetes, the body either doesn't produce enough insulin to function properly, or the body's cells don't react to insulin. This leads to raised blood sugar levels that can lead to serious complications including stroke, heart and kidney disease, and amputations, if not well managed. 

There's lots of help and advice to help you reduce your risk of diabetes. And we can all reduce our risk of developing type 2 diabetes through maintaining a healthy weight, being active and eating a healthy diet.

The diabetes prevention event returns to Brent Cross Shopping Centre!

Barnet resident showing diabetes information

Last Friday (20th June 2025), Brent Cross Shopping Centre became a hub of health awareness, as residents, shoppers and families attended the event hosted by Barnet Council’s Public Health Live and Age Well team. 

Published: Fri, 27 June 2025
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The NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme story

Find out how the service can help those at risk of developing type 2 diabetes to make healthy behaviour changes and reduce their risk.
Older white haired woman smiling, on orange background. Text reads: Barnet Stop Smoking Service. Ready to quit smoking? We're here to help you every step of the way.

Barnet Stop Smoking Service

Support to stop smoking tobacco or using shisha, for people who live, work or study in Barnet. Complete the contact form to receive advice and support from trained stop smoking advisors.

Barnet Stop Smoking Service
Know your risk of type 2 diabetes logo

Know Your Risk of type 2 diabetes

Take the Know Your Risk tool from Diabetes UK to see if you are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. 

Check your risk
Picture of a healthcare professional performing a finger prick blood test for a local resident.

Reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes

Get tips and advice to help reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Reduce your risk
Women doing chair exercises, smiling, with hands in air

Move more

Opportunities to get moving in Barnet, for all ages and abilities.

Move more
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NHS Health Check

If you are aged between 40 to 74, have not had an NHS Health Check in the last 5 years, and you do not already have a diagnosed long-term health condition, you may be able to get a free NHS Health Check.

NHS Health Check
Go bean: have you had your beans this week? Family sharing dinner. Super bean character wearing cape.

Eat well - Go Bean!

We're championing the humble bean in Barnet to improve our health, lighten the load on our pockets and reduce our carbon footprints. Check out the facts, tasty recipes, and more about beans.

Go bean